India's one memorable win from each edition of the World Cup

India vs Pakistan quarterfinals at Bangalore in 1996

The Prasad - Sohail altercation in 1996

India and Pakistan met in the quarterfinals of the World Cup 1996. Just before the start of the match, Pakistan was dealt a huge blow when their captain and star bowler Wasim Akram had to withdraw at the last minute due to a niggle. Aamer Sohail captained the then-defending champion Pakistan in that crucial do-or-die quarterfinal.

After electing to bat, India made steady progress when opener Navjot Sidhu scored 93. With meaningful contribution from the middle order, India reached 236 for 6 in the 46th over. Waqar Younus started the 48th over with Ajay Jadeja on strike.

Jadeja started off with two flicks to mid-wicket for huge sixes and finished the over with a boundary as 22 runs came off that over. Anil Kumble and Srinath too joined in the fun, clouting a couple of fours each. India plundered 57 runs in the last 4 overs to reach a formidable score of 287.

Jadeja made all the difference with an innings of 45 off 25 balls at a strike rate of 180. When the Indian innings ended, the Pakistani fans started muttering that their team would have been better off had, by a quirk of fate, Waqar too missed the match like Wasim. Both Waqar and Aaqib Javed conceded 67 runs each.

Pakistan began their reply in a grand fashion as both the openers Aamer Sohail and Syed Anwar blazed away to 84 in 10 overs. Anwar had always been India’s nemesis and he was at it yet again. Even the introduction of Anil Kumble did not stem the flow of runs. Finally, Srinath gave India the breakthrough by sending back Anwar.

Sohail was in terrific form as he reached his 50 off 44 balls. Then the match-turning event happened. Sohail drilled Venkatesh Prasad to the extra cover fence and showed his bat to Prasad as if to suggest that the bowler should go and fetch the ball.

This got Prasad going as his next ball was right on the stumps and Sohail’s hoick missed the mark and his off-stump was sent flying. Now it was Prasad’s turn to send off Sohail with some unfriendly gesture. That wicket was the turning point of the match as Venkatesh Prasad went on to dismiss Ijaz Ahmed and Inzamam –ul-Haq in that emotional spell of bowling.

Javed Miandad, playing in his last International match, and Salim Malik did their best to keep Pakistan in the hunt but the target was too high even for their experience. India won that match by 39 runs.