ICC Champions Trophy: 10 greatest encounters in the history of the tournament, Part 1

#7 India vs Pakistan: Edgbaston, 2004

Pakistan’s pace quartet reduced India to 106/6 before India crawled back

Arch-rivals India and Pakistan clashed in the Champions Trophy for the first time, and the match lived up to all expectations. In a low scoring thriller, Pakistan’s pace quartet reduced India to 106/6. However, Rahul Dravid’s sturdiness saw India claw their way back. The composed Dravid fell for 68 after adding 82 vital runs with Ajit Agarkar, who accumulated a hefty 47 Rana Naved-ul-Hasan and Shoaib Akhtar were the destructors-in-chief, ending with four wickets apiece.

India folded up for 200 with one ball to spare but Irfan Pathan then swung the ball and the game in India’s favour as he got rid of Pakistan’s top order as they languished at 27/3. But captain Inzamam-ul-Haq and a stubborn Yousuf Youhana staged a 75-run stand to fashion Pakistan’s recovery.

India were, however, not going down without a fight. This time, Agarkar responded with the ball and picked up Inzamam; then, Abdul Razzaq and Moin Khan, the latter courtesy of a fabulous Yuvraj Singh catch, were back in the hut early.

But the game changer Shahid Afridi smoked twin sixes off Pathan, while Youhana, at the other end, maintained his poise to guide the Men in Green home. With Pakistan seven down and needing one run off six balls, Youhana completed an easy single to finish on 81* as Pakistan achieved a rare win over India in an ICC tournament.