India vs Pakistan: Worldwide, there is no cricketing rivalry filled with more passion, drama and intensity as the India versus Pakistan match up. Each time the two countries come together in Asia Cup the sport is not just a sport and is rather viewed by millions around the globe. The championship has also had memorable encounter in its history which is engraved in cricketing folklore. Some of the most exciting India Pakistan matches in the history of Asia Cup.
Asia cup 1984, Sharjah, UAE
The very first version predetermined competition. India had won the match comfortably but the match has a historic perspective as it was the beginning of the greatest rivalry of the Asia cup. India, as guided by their captain Sunil Gavaskar dominated Pakistan in a very easy way, displaying their high level of discipline. Symbolic importance went much further than the score card even though the contest itself was one sided. It was the initial time that fans got to see the two cricket giants match in a continental championship. This meeting was the basis of the drama, passion and memorable events to come to every India Pakistan match to come in the Asia Cup.
#OnThisDay in 1984, India won the inaugural edition of the Asia Cup!
A fifty from Surinder Khanna powered India to 188/4 before Ravi Shastri and Roger Binny bowled Pakistan out for 134, setting up a 54-run win in Sharjah. pic.twitter.com/qPNM0Vvzu9
— ICC (@ICC) April 13, 2019
Asia cup 1988, Dhaka, Bangladesh
India went out attacking to save a meagre 183. It was a good batting line up of Pakistan who folded to 134 due to disciplined Indian bowling. India attacked to defend a modest total of 183 and this determination was impressive. Having an impressive and well in form batting line up, Pakistan nonetheless failed against Indian tight line and length. The bowlers did not relent at any moment as they did not leave partnerships to thrive. Out of these clean planning and energetic fielding, every wicket was taken. Eventually Pakistan were skittled out on 134 and India won it the famous and hard fought victory.
Asia cup 1995, UAE Sharjah
It was an old fashioned scoring game. Captained by Navjot Sidhu, India won over Pakistan as they chased 266 and finishing with ease Power batting by Navjot Sidhu was achieved with ease in a fluent 77.
Asia Cup 1997, Colombo, Sri Lanka
This match ended in a draw with rain halting this counter on the Indian side but this match was on the nip when the exuberant Saeed Anwar struck a scorching knock. Aggressive stroke making by Saeed Anwar put the Indian bowlers under enormous pressure, before the rain came. His fluent batting foreshadowed a classical encounter but the downpour prematurely ended the match when it was getting hot and hot. The fans were disappointed because both teams gave indications that they would compile an impressive match. Although there were no outcomes, the degree of intensity that was exhibited enhanced the tension of the already intensifying rivalry. The incomplete duel just boosted excitements of the next match between India and Pakistan during the Asia cup.
22 fours and five sixes 💪
194 runs off 146 balls 🧮On this day in 1997, @TheRealPCB’s Saeed Anwar blasted the then highest individual score in ODI history in a 35-run win over India. pic.twitter.com/N5QUhzMpdU
— ICC (@ICC) May 21, 2021
Asia Cup 2004, Colombo, Sri Lanka
It had taken a long break and the India Pakistan clash did not disappoint as it came in with fireworks. The Indian bowling attack was wrecked by the Malik who took complete control of the Pakistani innings. His delivery not only offered endurance but also the pace in which he bowled and drove Pakistan to a threatening tally. In response, India failed to cope with the pressure of the scoreboard with wickets falling frequently. This victory was one of the most convincing performances in Pakistan to win an Asia cup match in the history of the competition with Malik being an undoubted hero of the evening. Pakistan crushed their opponents by 59 runs on the back of all round excellence of Shoaib Malik (143 and 2 wickets).
Asia cup 2008, Karachi, Pakistan
This was one of the most exciting chapters, two blood curling encounters were seen in this edition. In the group stage India hunted 300 stylishly and it was led by Virender Sehwag on his way to 119. The two games were rewarded with large attendances and to electrifying crowds, in each game the momentum repeatedly shifted back and forth between the teams. The extravagant touch of Sehwag and the cool brilliance of Younis Khan came to be the highlights of the event. The 2008 version proves to be a big example of India, Pakistan contests are never short of dramatic action. However Pakistan responded by smashing 8 wickets on their way to Super Four with 123 runs by Younis Khan.
Asia cup 2010, Dambulla Sri Lanka
A cliff-hanger in which both parties had contested a nerve supremacy majority which was taken to the wire. A violent 83 by Gautam Gambhir ensured that India stay in the hunt of the 268 run target, and an iconic last over capitalisation, a six by Harbhajan Singh made it a heart stopping three wicket win with a single ball leftover. The combustible scenes of the two Harbhajan and Shoaib Akhtar marked the game which becomes more memorable by an additional element of drama. It was not a mere victory, but also a testimony of how India scrounges under pressure. It remains one of the most scorching India Pakistan encounters in the contemporary history that fans do not forget.
Asia Cup 2012, Mirpur, Bengladesh
Even now it is one of the most celebrated games. Pakistan reached the 329 runs score and an innings to remember an inning of the ages by Virat Kohli (183 off 148 balls) It is one more of the best of the ODI knocks of Kohli, the culmination of astounding timing and impulsive aggression.
A 93 run partnership with Rohit Sharma stabilised the run chase following an early collapse and left Pakistan shell shocked. Not just did that inning win the game but it also sent Kohli into the prestigious array of chasing master of world cricket. It bought India to eventual chase of the score with 6 wickets in hand.
Highest score in Asia Cup history:
•Virat Kohli – 183 vs Pakistan in 2012 Virat at the top at everywhere pic.twitter.com/waeXDnQXNB
— Kevin (@imkevin149) August 30, 2023
Asia cup 2014, Mirpur, Bangladesh
A nervy low scoring game. The Pakistani cricket team defeated India for the second time in a row. Shahid Afridi came to bat and smashed back-to-back sixes towards Ravichandran Ashwin to give his team a last lap victory when India needed 246 and needed 9 to win off 4 balls. Even Afridi was disappointed, as he showed off his swagger with his authoritative striking, causing the Mirpur audience to gasp in disbelief. Pakistan was ecstatic and proud, yet it was heartbreaking to have to fight India all the way through.
Asia Cup 2018, Dubai UAE
The superiority of India was evinced. The captaincy of Rohit Sharma, along with hundreds by him and Shikhar Dhawan killed Pakistan in the Super Four and brought memories of the emerging dominance of India. Their opening partnership of 210 runs fully crushed the batting line and spirit of Pakistan and the tactics of an easy victory was set. The clinical performance of India in all the departments represented the gap between the two opponents then. The win only confirmed the rapidly growing status of India as the powerhouse of Asian Cricket.
The Asia Cup between India and Pakistan has provided spectators with nail biters, superheroics and heartbreaks. What is at stake in each encounter is much more than merely points on a table it is a matter of pride and history and the eternal competitive fire. With the promise of more to come, in future editions, all that lovers of the game can hope is that there are more such of these action-filled chapters to be written in this evergreen tale.
Also Read: Asia Cup 2025: Will India’s Dominance Translate Into Another Title?
