new Delhi: When India and Pakistan (IND vs PAK) face to face on the cricket field, the atmosphere is not less than a battle. Indian cricket fans will always remember this on 18 January 1998, as Team India won an impossible victory on the basis of their understanding and hard work.
PAK’s huge score
The Pakistan team came out to bat first and scored 314 runs after losing 5 wickets in 48 overs. Saeed Anwar played a century of 140 runs. Apart from this, Ijaz Ahmed also played a superb 117 with Anwar. In this match, 2 overs were reduced for both the teams.
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Big goal for team India
Although the target of 315 runs in 48 overs seems possible in today’s era, but it was extremely difficult 22 years ago, because no team could achieve such a big goal at that time. Prior to this match, Sri Lanka (Zimbabwe) defeated Zimbabwe in the 1992 World Cup despite a target of 313 runs, this was the highest record to chase.
Amazing Indian batsmen
Team India left no stone unturned to achieve this major goal. Sourav Ganguly scored a century of 124 runs, while Sachin Tendulkar (Sachin Tendulkar) scored 42 runs in 26 balls. Robin Singh then reduced the target to victory by scoring 82 runs.
Indian middle order faltered
There came a time when the hard work of the top-order batsmen of Team India showed water. In the middle order, one by one the batsmen started returning to the pavilion. Captain Mohammad Azharuddin (4), Ajay Jadeja (8), Navjot Sidhu (5) and Nayan Mongia were dismissed by 9 runs. Now the Indian team was seen wandering from the path of victory, but did not stop fighting.
Kanitkar’s square
There came a time when Team India had to score 3 runs in 2 balls to win. Saqlain Mushtaq was doing the last over. Just then, Hrishikesh Kanitkar, who was on strike, hit a strong four and gave Team India an unlikely victory. Kanitkar had become a superstar for all Indians.
Series Fatah
Team India won the match by 3 wickets and broke Sri Lanka’s record of chasing the biggest goal. India had won the Independence Cup. Sourav Ganguly was awarded Man of the Match and Sachin Tendulkar with Man of the Series Award. Houses will pass, but Team India will never forget this victory and Pakistan this defeat.
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