One of the most glowing matches in cricket is India vs Pakistan in ODIs. In addition to the immediacy of each match, the historical figures create the picture of rivalries, match winners and those moments that have made careers.
Batting Greats of India vs Pakistan
In terms of accruing runs in India Pakistan ODIs there are a number of names that come to mind. The highest run scorer in this match is Sachin Tendulkar who scored 2,526 in 69 matches with an average of 40.09. Inzamam ul Haq is the second best player to remember, with his solidity as a middle order player (2,403 runs in 67 matches) and a great average and a number of centuries, and whose consistency and temperament gave India so many grounds to rely upon in most of the encounters. Shoaib Malik is also included with a higher number of runs of more than 1,700 and he nearly always delivers when under pressure.
Bowling Icons of India vs Pakistan
Then to the bowlers, we have a few spellbinders who have taken over India Pakistan games. Top of the list of wicket takers is Wasim Akram who has taken 60 wickets in 48 matches with an economy of approximately 3.73. His command over swing, cutters, and late movement was such that he was always a threat. In the shadow of him, there is Saqlain Mushtaq with 57 wickets in 36 matches having impressive averages and match turner off spin repertoire. Other bowlers who have left a mark are Aaqib Javed, Anil Kumble, and Javagal Srinath all with a large wicket count and their own strengths including pace, spin, accuracy. The spin of Kumble in particular was a constant vexation to Pakistan batting line, Srinath seam and swing worked equally well with India.
Reflection And Legacy of India vs Pakistan
What all these figures imply is that the India Pakistan ODI rivalry has been characterized by both batting mastery as well as bowling mastery. Batsmen such as Tendulkar, Inzamam, Saeed Anwar, Dravid and Malik gave the runs, in many cases, when under pressure. Bowlers such as Akram, Saqlain, Aaqib, Kumble, Srinath made matches with disciplined spells and match making moments. These are not mere numbers but truly an era of the speed of the bowling, of the power to strike, of the varying of the pitch, of the continual mental tension of the competition. They are also milestones to other current players, something to pursue, something to be.
The record books will change as more and more data is published when upcoming matches are played in tournaments such as the Asia Cup. The accomplishments of these legends are already a fact, though they contributed to the creation of one of the richest rivalries in the sport of cricket.
