Sunday’s India-Pak match. Finals & India loses. Sad
feeling. Not for the loss but because of the margin of defeat. Excellent Cricket
by Pakistan. Fast bowling at its best. Bowling of the old days.
India lost. Sad, but not as sad as it used to be in the
90s. India invariably used to be on the
losing side during the early part of 90s. The last ball six in the 1986 Sharjah
Cup finals by Miandad had made a huge dent in to the psyche of the Indians.
Indian players struggled during India-Pak encounters. The Akrams, Waqars,
Aquibs, Akhtars penetrated the famed Indian batting line-ups with ease &
regularity
However, 1996 World Cup quarter-finals changed it all. Aamir
Sohail smashing Venkatesh to the fence and waving at Prasad was their last
bright spot over India in global tournaments. Next ball, wicket rolled, Prasad
roared and with that India dominated over Pakistan for the next two decades. The
video clip of Prasad giving a verbal send off to Sohail remained thumbnail for
the India-Pak encounters thereafter.
Television sales go up in India during
these tournaments. Televisions go down on the floor we have heard in Pakistan
every time they lose to India. India
never lost to Pakistan in the ICC tournaments during this period. 2017 Champion’s trophy final was a completion
of one full circle for India-Pak encounters. Pakistan is on the top now. The
best team during the finals day won.
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