Sahara Cup 1996: Toronto Diaries (Part I)

Match 5 | September 23, 1996

Mushtaq Ahmed is ecstatic after nabbing Azhar

en route

to his 5-for in the deciding game

The stage was set for a blockbuster weekend, but the heavens opened up again. Fans who had come from New York returned disappointed as the decider was postponed to a Monday - the schedule going for a toss because of the hurricane.

Pakistan, having already come back twice from behind, went on to win the match and clinch the series after setting a competitive 214. The Pakistanis brilliantly used the pitch which did not allow the ball to come on to the bat. None of the batsmen from either side could reach 50 in either of the two innings. Leggie Mushtaq Ahmed nabbed the first fifer of the series as India folded for exactly 161 in consecutive matches.

Despite losing a marquee series, the new BCCI selection committee decided to back their new captain and build for the next World Cup scheduled in the UK and Netherlands in the summer of 1999. All the matches were played in good spirit without losing the edge that an Indo-Pak match brings. "After all, it's a game" commented the victorious Wasim Akram at the trophy presentation.

Pakistan 213/9 | Aamir Sohail 44, Anil Kumble 3/47

India 161 all out | Sachin Tendulkar 23, Mushtaq Ahmed 5/36

Pakistan won by 52 runs | Player of the Match: Mushtaq Ahmed

Player of the series: Anil Kumble (15 wickets)

This is the first part of a 3-part series on Sahara Cup.