Indo-Pak clashes are full of drama, excitement and anxiety, both on and off the field. These are not mere encounters, rather they are more than that for these arch-rival cricket crazy nations because of the history they share and the politics involved. When they play, both the nations come to a halt with people glued to their television screens. On this day in 1998, India chased down the then highest One Day International score in the finals of Independence Cup. Over the years there have been plenty of close encounters, be it the reduced Toronto ODI in 90s or Quetta encounter of 1978. Let us have a look at some of these close games.

1987 Hyderabad

Abdul Qadir run out of last ball costs Pakistan the match as India was declared winner on the account of fewer wickets lost. Pakistan required two runs to win, even by scoring one run and not losing wicket they would have been victorious.Qadir went for an ambitious second run which was never on the cards and was run out.The poor umpiring decision also played a decisive role as umpire failed to notice that when Kapil Dev bowled last ball only three players were inside thirty yard circle and a legitimate no ball turned out to be the last legal delivery.

1997 Karachi, Pakistan

Eight runs to win of last over , Rajesh Chauhan was on strike facing Saqlain Mushtaq.The match was tilted in favour of home team knowing the batting prowess of Chauhan.Saqlain bowled a low full toss on leg side and Chauhan stepped out to swing the bat for massive six. Robin Singh completed the formality as India won the nailbiter against all odds .Earlier in the day crowd disrupted tha match with frequent stone pelting and forcing immature end of Pakistan innings.

1998 Silver Jubilee Independence Cup , Dhaka, Bangladesh

6 runs required off 4 balls. Its in the air, Sohail from midwicket ,Afridi from mid on but it fell in no man’s land and Srinath got a life, more importantly got 2 runs. Hrishikesh Kanitkar smashed Saqlain for four and India chased down the then highest score in ODI history. Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly Official gave India a flying start.After the departure of little master Ganguly and Robin Singh put on 179 for second wicket .Ganguly scored a sublime 124 studded with 11 fours and a six as Indian Cricket Team cruised to 250 in 38 overs .India were looking for a comfortable win but just then Robin Singh was dismissed for fighting 82 and India crumbled to 296/6.Finally India scripted a famous victory.

2004 Karachi

Pakistan Cricket Team were cruising at 340 for 6 needing ten runs from eight balls with the Indian nemesis Moin Khan and Shoaib Malik on the crease.There is always a twist in cricket, Mohammad Kaif ran from long-off to mid on to take a spectacular catch to dismiss Malik .He almost collided with Hemang Badani, the catch brought back the memory of 1983 world cup final when Kapil took a running catch of Vivian Richards. Pakistan required nine runs from last over to take a lead in series . Ashish Nehra mixed up his delivery and gave just three runs of first five deliveries.Six needed off last ball , Javed Miandad who had done this against India was in the dressing room waving Moin Khan to hit a six but to his and home team’s disappointment, Moin Khan gave away a simple catch to Zaheer Khan. India won the Karachi thriller by five runs. Inzamam-ul-Haq was awarded Man of the match for his brilliant century.

2010 Asia Cup, Dambulla

India were required 7 runs to win from last over. The game was evenly poised but just then Raina was run out off the second ball of last over. Praveen Kumar joined Harbhajan Singh on the crease he opened the face of the bat ,ball went towards third man where Shoaib Akhtar’s poor fielding cost Pakistan an extra run as the pair completed a couple.The next ball was judiciously played for a single and most importantly brought Bhajji on strike.The last two balls and three runs required crowd was on their feet ,the players in the dressing were holding their nerves.Amir bowled a ball which was in Bhajji’s domain and he smashed it for a six to seal a famous victory for India.