The India vs Pakistan cricket rivalry is one of the fiercest and most followed clashes in international sport. Though they have played more than 210 games across formats, these two cricket powerhouses have clashed just five times in a multi-team tournament final in the last 40 years. On the eve of their inaugural Asia Cup final, let’s look back at the
5 most iconic India-Pakistan tournament finals between 1985 and 2017.
1. 1985 – India Dominates at the MCG
World Championship of Cricket Final, Melbourne
Result: India won by 8 wickets
Venue: Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), Australia
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India and Pakistan played their first big final at the age-old MCG with more than 50,000 spectators in the stands. Pakistan was asked to take the crease first but were limited to 176/9 due to some remarkable spells by Kapil Dev and Laxman Sivaramakrishnan, who claimed three wickets each.
India’s run chase was clinical. Kris Srikkanth (67) and Ravi Shastri (63*) added a match-winning 103-run stand. Shastri was given the “Champion of Champions” and famously drove away in an Audi, marking India’s emerging supremacy in ODI cricket.
2. 1986 – Miandad’s Last-Ball Six Makes History
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Austral-Asia Cup Final, Sharjah
Result: Pakistan won by 1 wicket
Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UA
The 1986 Final between India and Pakistan at Sharjah became one of the most legendary games of cricket. India posted a strong target of 245/7, courtesy of robust knocks by Sunil Gavaskar (92), Dilip Vengsarkar (50), and Kris Srikkanth (75).
Pakistan’s match was a roller-coaster, but Javed Miandad was still the rock. With four required off the final ball, Miandad hit Chetan Sharma for a six down midwicket to finish on 116 not out. The incident became legendary and provided Pakistan with a psychological advantage in the rivalry for years.
3. 1994 – Sohail and Anwar Dominate India
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Austral-Asia Cup Final, Sharjah
Result: Pakistan won by 39 runs
Ground: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UA
By 1994, Pakistan’s batting order was at its best. Saeed Anwar (47) and Aamer Sohail (69) provided them with a scorching start. In spite of a three-wicket spell by Rajesh Chauhan, Pakistan amassed a huge 250.
India struggled in the chase early. While Tendulkar and Sidhu scored 59 off a mere 11 overs, the collapse was swift. Atul Bedade struggled with an aggressive 44 (4 sixes), but the chase was over. Sohail’s all-round show bagged him Player of the Match.
4. 2007 – India Win T20 World Cup in Thriller
ICC World T20 Final, Johannesburg
Result: India won by 5 runs
Venue: The Wanderers Stadium, South Africa
The first T20 World Cup final witnessed the biggest of all India vs Pakistan stage. India batted first and scored 157/5, led by Gautam Gambhir’s 75 and a blistering cameo by youngster Rohit Sharma (30* in 16).
In response, Pakistan had their moments, led by Imran Nazir and later Misbah-ul-Haq, who nearly took them home. With 13 needed off the final over, Joginder Sharma held his nerve. Misbah attempted a scoop and was caught by Sreesanth, giving India a memorable five-run win. The triumph under MS Dhoni ignited a T20 revolution in India.
5. 2017 – Pakistan’s Redemption at The Oval
ICC Champions Trophy Final, London
Result: Pakistan by 180 runs
Venue: The Oval, England
Having been thrashed by India in the tournament previously, Pakistan mounted a dramatic comeback in the final. They batted first and amassed a record 338/4, with Fakhar Zaman leading the charge with his aggressive 114 (after a near-miraculous reprieve on a no-ball). There were also contributions from Azhar Ali (59), Babar Azam (46), and Mohammad Hafezer (57*) to support him.
India’s solid batting line-up was broken under pressure. Mohammad Amir chipped in with a spell of a lifetime, sending back Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shikhar Dhawan early on. Though Hardik Pandya detonated an explosive 76 off 43, India were bowled out for 158, giving Pakistan their largest-ever win in the ICC tournament final.
India vs Pakistan Finals – Head-to-Head Summary
Year Tournament Winner Margin
1985 World Championship of Cricket India 8 wickets
1986 Austral-Asia Cup Pakistan 1 wicket
1994 Austral-Asia Cup Pakistan 39 runs
2007 ICC World T20 India 5 runs
2017 ICC Champions Trophy Pakistan 180 runs
India vs Pakistan: Rivalry on the Verge of a New Chapter
With both sides now destined to clash in their first-ever Asia Cup final, the India vs Pakistan saga writes a new chapter in its history. Every final in the past has had its own drama, heroes, heartbreaks, and history making this competition one of the most memorable in world cricket.
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