Top 5 India vs Pakistan encounters of this decade

#1. 4th Match, Asia Cup (June 19, 2010, at Dambulla)

Harbhajan Singh

Though not a World Cup clash, this was the most pulsating India-Pakistan encounter of the decade. Pakistan batted first in the game and posted a competitive 267 with crucial contributions all round. At the top, Salman Butt made 74 from 85 while Kamran Akmal provided the final flourish with 51 from 41, including three sixes. For India, Praveen Kumar was the most successful bowler with 3 for 53 while Zaheer Khan and Harbhajan Singh picked up two wickets each.

India lost Virender Sehwag for an uncharacteristic 10 from 32 in the chase. Virat Kohli was then cleaned up by Saeed Ajmal for 18. Gautam Gambhir (83) and MS Dhoni (56) put the innings back on track adding 98 for the third wicket. However, Pakistan kept chipping away at the wickets to leave India tottering at 219 for 6. Ajmal was brilliant with 3 for 56.

Harbhajan Singh was involved in a verbal duel with Shoaib Akhtar

India had an unexpected batting trump card up their sleeve though. The Indians needed 36 from the last four overs when Singh lofted Shoaib Akhtar over wide long-on for six. At the other end, Suresh Raina kept coming up with crucial hits even as Akhtar and Harbhajan were having an unabashed go at each other. However, with six needed off five balls, Raina was run out going for a non-existent single. The equation came down to three off two balls when Harbhajan did a Miandad and smacked Mohammad Amir for six over midwicket.

Immediately after the big moment, Harbhajan let out a huge roar towards Akhtar, who reacted dismissively with a V sign and a wave of the hand. The Indo-Pak rivalry was alive and kicking.