Nailbiters 5: India vs Pakistan (2nd ODI Wills Challenge Series)

Karachi.
30 September 1997.

Indian team was visiting Pakistan after a gap of 8 years. With just 3 ODIs the tour wasn't a long one. India were sickeningly thrashed in the first game which was hopelessly one sided. This game however, was entirely different.

Pakistan opted to bat first after winning the toss. They were on their way to a bright start when Rajesh Chauhan caught Saeed Anwar (18 off 22) off his own bowling, diving to his left. (55-1) But Afridi continued in the same way he always does, taking the bowlers apart. He was helped by a ridiculous decision, that too from the 3rd umpire. First of all there was no need to refer to the 3rd umpire for that stumping when his bat was way above the ground when the bails dislodged. But even the 3rd umpire somehow failed to notice the thing usually obvious to human eye. (The fact that the 3rd umpire too was from Pakistan took the surprise out of it.)

Nilesh Kulkarni removed Afridi after he made 72 off 56 on the score of 126. He went on to remove Ijaz Ahmed a while later on a steady 31 off 54. (148-3) In spite of that, Pakistan had got the run rate under control. All they needed was to consolidate for a while. Inzamam Ul-Haq took the charge of the innings with his usual calm. Though Chauhan got his 2nd wicket by removing Saleem Elahi on 18, Pakistan were well on course.

However, shamefully, the match was repeatedly brought to halt by some notorious stone throwing by the local crowd. When Ganguly was hit, it was the fourth occasion the innings was interrupted. Skipper Sachin Tendulkar said enough is enough and took his men in the dressing room. As a result, Pakistani inning was halted at 265-4 after 47.2 overs. Inzamam (74 off 92) and Moin Khan (31 off 33) were looking ominous but they couldn't get a chance to have a go. Therefore India had to score 266 to win from 47 overs.

India were immediately off to a brave start in reply. Tendulkar started off well but Azhar Mahmood got him caught behind on 21 off 18. 71-1. Ganguly in his prime form, proving himself to be a fine prospect, made sure that India wouldn't collapse after Tendulkar's loss. Vinod Kambli gave him a solid support by 53 off 76. Things looked rosy for India at 169-1, but Waqar Younis struck. Ganguly was gone after making 89 off 96. The situation worsened after two quick run outs, as Kambli and Azharuddin departed. 185-4. Pakistan had a sniff. Another wicket, and they are right back in it. Sure they were, as Jadeja too, couldn't hold on to his wicket. 195-5.

The drooped shoulders, faded voices, silent crowd was now nowhere to be seen or heard. Pakistani attack was now more hostile, which included verbal volleys as well.

The momentum India had gathered was now slipping out. The required run rate was creeping up. But that man, Robin Singh was still there. With the wicket keeper Saba Karim, he kept stealing runs. India still needed boundaries but they were at least in the hunt.

The sun had started fading now. Target was closer. Chests heaving, eyes wide open, the duo kept running feverishly. Saba Karim hit a boundary off Waqar, Robin Singh hit a 6 off Saqlain Mushtaq, and India had regained the edge.

Waqar bowled the second last over. Saba snatched another boundary. India looked more comfortable now. Nerves got the better of Saba as he ran for a single with the ball straight into keeper's hand. But Moin missed it, and Saba was back in the crease safely. (Geoffrey Boycott at the commentary couldn't help but wolf whistle "OOOOWW!!! OOOOOW OOOOOWWW!!! Just Stomping Just Stomping!!!") Saba's luck however, ran out as Waqar produced a peach of a yorker to get rid of him. With Saba gone at at 26 off 32 India were 257-6. Rajesh Chauhan, the new man in, got a single off the last ball to face the last over.

8 needed off 6. The dangerous Saqlain had the ball in his hand. With a tail-ender on a strike up against Saqlain, any pessimist in the Indian camp had a right to be skeptic. But the next minute was going to prove him wrong.

Saqlain couldn't grip the newly changed ball as he slipped in a full toss. Chauhan, out of nowhere, hoicked it bravely over deep midwicket for a 6, turning the match completely upside down. He sensibly took a single next ball. With 1 needed from 4, Robin Singh swept it down to deep fine leg and completed the single with a broadest of grins.

The hooligans who threw stones at the Indian players looked at their fingers ruefully and wondered how a champion spinner couldn't keep his fingers on the ball when it mattered most.

Scorecard.


I REMEMBER: When my mom picked me up from the school, score was around 150-1. When I came home, it was around 200-5. After a nerve racking hour, me and my friend Pushkar were deeply into wild celebrations, which eventually inspired Karan Johar to produce 'Dostana'.