« Back to article | Print this article |
Team India scored a comfortable 29-run victory over Pakistan in Mohali on Wednesday to book a berth in the final of the World Cup. The win was India's first at the semi-final stage at home, following losses in both 1987 and 1996 World Cups, thereby breaking the jinx of failing at the last four stages as hosts.
On the other hand, Pakistan's jinx of never having beaten India in a World Cup encounter continued. In five matches the neighbours have played in the tournament, India has come out on top on all the occasions.
It was India's first win in three matches over Pakistan in Mohali, and their 47th overall (against 69 losses). It was also India's 13th win in its last 18 ODIs and ensured the co-hosts a place in what will be their third World Cup final.
Click on NEXT to read about the five earlier occasions when the two traditional rivals clashed...
The two arch rivals faced each other for the first time in 1992 in Sydney in Australia, where India defeated Pakistan in the group matches.
Having set a modest total of 217, Pakistan was bundled out for 173 runs.
Interestingly, Pakistan went ahead to win this edition of the World Cup, riding on Wasim Akram's mesmerising swing bowling and Imran Khan's inspiring leadership, defeating England in the final.
The third time, India and Pakistan faced each other in the World Cup at Old Trafford in England in 1999, it was a repeat of 1992.
India batted first and scored 227. Pakistan folded up for 180 in the Super Sixes format.
In the match, Rahul Dravid and Mohammad Azharuddin played fifty-plus innings. Fast bowler Venkatesh Prasad was declared man-of-the-match because he ensured that five Pakistani batsmen went back to the pavilion.
For the fourth time, two arch rivals India and Pakistan met at SuperSport Park in Centurion, South Africa during the pool 'A' match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2003.
With a quick fire knock by Sachin Tendulkar and a brilliant 50 by Yuvraj Singh, India won the match by six wickets.
Tendulkar, who scored 98 runs, was awarded with the man-of-the-match.