India versus Pakistan: it is more than just cricket - Part 2
When India plays Pakistan it is mostly always a case of India’s skill with the bat against Pakistan’s prowess with the ball. Indian legends such as Sachin Tendulkar, Sourav Ganguly, and http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wasim-Akram-c96292, Shoaib Akhtar and Saqlain
Mushtaq, arguably some of the greatest batsmen and bowlers to have graced the game.
There have been exceptions to that trend though with two cases setting world records. Saeed Anwar’s 194 run innings against http://www.senore.com/Cricket/India-c750 set the record for the highest score by a batsman in a single match. It was later broken by the ‘little maestro’ Sachin Tendulkar.
Another record set was by the devastating leg spinner http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Anil-Kumble-c44737. When he single handedly won India the test match after bowling out the entire Pakistan batting line-up. He took all 10 wickets in the second innings in front of his home crowd to set a record
that still stands to this day.
Individual battles have been another highlight of whenever the teams meet. Most notably, Shoaib Akhtar, as he delivered a lethal bouncer to Sourav Ganguly, which left him on the floor needing medical attention. Since then he always had an extra pad guarding
his chest when he faced Pakistan.
Aamir Sohail was on the receiving end as well when he exchanged a war of words with Venkatesh Prasad bowling him out in the next ball. Leaving Sohail more than just a little embarrassed.
Both sides have left their mark in the new format of the game as well, as they met in the first ever ICC T20 World Cup final. A match that lived up to the hype, as it is considered one of the most exciting cricketing finals to date. India won the match by
the narrowest of margins in a match where no one knew who was on top.
Even when the sides are not playing each other, each side finds joy and satisfaction in knowing that the other has not done well. Pakistanis and Indians celebrate the other team’s loss just as much as they celebrate their own victory, as an indicator of
the level of rivalry between the two sides.
Yet for India it is more serious, as on more than one occasion a poor performance from their team sparks protests and media propaganda calling for their heads. Groups within India also regularly threaten the BCCI not to allow http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Pakistan-c755 to play in India. On
one occasion the group even dug up the pitch where the match was to be played.
The ICC World Cup 2011 is currently underway in India, http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Bangladesh-c747. Pakistan lost the rights to co-host after security issues disqualified their bid. Almost certain to qualify for the quarter-finals and India on their way there as well, a meeting
between the two sides is a juicy proposition. If both sides were to meet in the knock out stages it would give the organizers something to think about when it comes to the venue.
Extra security would be a precaution both sides will be willing to take. It may only be a game of cricket in the eyes of some, but for others it means much more. Either way when Pakistan meet India, one thing is for certain and that is that sparks will fly.
The views expressed in this article are the writer's own and in no way represent Bettor.com's official editorial policy.
Tags: