Top five ODI knocks by a Pakistan batsman against India

3. Javed Miandad (116 runs off 114 balls – Sharjah, April 1986)

This is one performance that still rankles millions of Indians to this day. After all, it’s not every day that you get to see India-Pakistan games ending in an anti-climax off the final delivery. All it took was one solitary lapse in concentration and a massive swipe that delivered a win for one side, and heartbreak for the other.

The final of the Austral-Asia Cup generated its own excitement in Sharjah – which was fast becoming a hotbed of subcontinental rivalry. The stage was set for an engrossing game between the arch foes, bolstered by half centuries from the top three Indian batsmen – Srikkanth, Gavaskar and Vengsarkar – setting the Pakistanis a target of 246 for victory and the trophy.

Pakistan’s premier batsman Javed Miandad was waging a lone battle against sharp and accurate bowling from the likes of Madan Lal, Chetan Sharma and Maninder Singh.

Nine wickets had fallen when last man Tauseef Ahmed came out to join Miandad with Pakistan needing four runs to win off the final ball.

Miandad took his time, surveying the field, counting the number of fielders and steadying his nerves.

On the other hand, the entire Indian team had gathered round the bearded Sharma, giving him some last-minute advice and motivating him to come good.

Sharma knew what had to be done: nothing but a yorker would settle the deal for India. He measured out his run-up and bounded towards the bowling crease to fire it into the stumps. What he didn’t realize was that Miandad was standing well out of the popping crease. And what happened next has remained etched into the minds of every spectator and player alike.

Chetan maintains that the ball slipped out of his hand at the point of delivery, so the attempted yorker instead became a full toss on leg stump at just the right height; Miandad swung hard and connected well, sending the ball soaring over the mid-wicket fence and into the stands.

Pandemonium swept the stadium. Pakistan players swarmed the field, elated at the victory that they snatched from the jaws of defeat.

The Indians were so heartbroken it felt like a funeral when they returned to the dressing room. Sharma was more than disconsolate; he was stunned, shocked and bewildered. Pakistan, in that one moment, had landed such a devastating psychological blow that it has taken quite a few years for India to emerge from that effect.

However, it still remains one of the greatest matches ever – Javed eventually finished on 116 not out, and Pakistan lifted the trophy in grand style.