Top 3 heartbreaking ODI losses for India against Pakistan

Prior to the ongoing edition of the Asia Cup, India and Pakistan have locked horns with each other in 129 ODIs. While the former emerged victorious in 52 matches, the latter triumphed in 73 games. Although the two Asian giants have played against each other in 59 Tests as well, the rivalry has generally been at its fiercest in the ODI format.

In this segment, let us take a look at three of the most heartbreaking ODI defeats for India at the hands of their arch-rival. The importance of the contest, as well as the nature of the defeat, have been factored into account whilst honing in on the selections.

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#3 Lost by 12 runs at Rawalpindi, 2004

After beginning their eagerly anticipated tour of Pakistan with a thrilling triumph in the first ODI at Karachi, a confident Indian side lineup at Rawalpindi. On a benign pitch, the hosts won the toss and started on an ominous note.

Shahid Afridi's belligerent 58-ball 80 and Yasir Hameed's relatively sedate 86 set a solid platform. Despite experiencing a middle-overs stutter, Pakistan managed to register a hefty total of 329.

India's run-chase was an all too familiar tale for those who had grown up watching cricket during the 1990s. Even as the rest of the batsmen fumbled, Sachin Tendulkar seemed to be operating on a different surface.

Tendulkar controlled the pursuit by pacing his innings adeptly. A healthy dose of boundaries was interspersed with a stellar rotation of the strike. At 245/3, India appeared to be cruising. But Shoaib Malik's part-time off-spin procured the prized scalp for Pakistan.

The visitors eventually fell short by just 12 runs. Although India went on to win the series 3-2, the Rawalpindi defeat was a setback to their revamped batting aspirations.

#2 Lost by 180 runs at the Oval, 2017 Champions Trophy final

India suffered an absolute shellacking at the hands of Pakistan in the high-pressure final

Having trounced Pakistan by 124 runs in the group stage clash, India entered the 2017 Champions Trophy final as favourites. Skipper Virat Kohli won the toss and surprisingly opted to bowl first on a placid surface.

After being reprieved off a no-ball, opener Fakhar Zaman capitalised by taking the Indian attack to the cleaners. The nonchalant ease with which he dismantled the spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja allowed Pakistan to amass a mammoth total of 338.

Defending a huge total, Pakistan's pace attack came out all guns blazing. Mohammad Amir produced a mesmerising spell to knock out India's much-vaunted top three. With their best batsmen dismissed in the space of nine overs, the Men in Blue subsequently crashed to a 180-run loss. The massive defeat not only dampened India's white-ball credentials but also breathed new life into the traditional rivalry.

#1 Lost by 1 wicket at Sharjah, 1986 Austral-Asia Cup final

Javed Miandad's last-ball six remains one of the signature moments of the grand rivalry

Among the myriad moments of the India-Pakistan rivalry, Javed Miandad's epoch-making six at Sharjah would arguably be at the top of the list. Seldom has a single shot shaped the course of the future. Such was the significance of the 1986 Austral-Asia Cup final.

Powered by contrasting half-centuries from Sunil Gavaskar, Kris Srikkanth and Dilip Vengsarkar, India surged past the 200-run mark on a sluggish surface. A lower-order implosion, caused by the then fledgling Wasim Akram, curtailed their progress.

Chasing 246, Pakistan lost Mudassar Nazar and Rameez Raja cheaply. Captain Imran Khan's decision to promote Abdul Qadir to number six turned out to be a masterstroke. The leg-spinner offered steadfast support to a rampant Miandad.

After navigating through the run-chase by running hard between the wickets, Miandad stood unconquered at the crease when the game reached its tipping point. Requiring a boundary off the last ball, he belted a low full-toss into the stands and clinched a famous victory for his team. The thrilling triumph turned the rivalry on its head as Pakistan went on to dominate India for the subsequent years.