IND vs PAK controversies: 4 explosive India-Pakistan cricket moments
IND vs PAK controversies: Matches between India and Pakistan are almost always laced with controversy. Given the level of passion and effort put in by both players and fans, the match between these two Asian sides is much more than just an interesting game of cricket.
Today, after beginning their journey in the 2024 T20 World Cup with a morale-boosting eight-wicket victory against Ireland in New York earlier this week, Team India will look to keep the party going when they face arch-rivals Pakistan in a blockbuster match.
Before the two teams face off on Sunday, we look back at some of the most controversial moments from India-Pakistan matches over the years.
1996 World Cup - Pakistan’s quarter-final exit
One of the most famous on-field incidents in Indo-Pak clashes is Venkatesh Prasad dismissing Aamer Sohail after being hit for four by the left-handed opener in the previous delivery and being mocked for it. India defeated Pakistan for 248 after setting them a daunting 288 to win at Bengaluru's M Chinnaswamy Stadium, advancing to the semi-finals.
The defeat was controversial in Pakistan, as fans were outraged that the Wasim Akram-led team's title defence had ended in a quarter-final loss to their arch-rivals. As a result of the setback, the Pakistani players were compelled to make quiet returns home in order to escape being pursued by enraged fans at the airport.
Gambhir and Afridi collide - 2007 ODI match
India and Pakistan played an ODI match in 2007. This time, the dispute featured Gautam Gambhir and Shahid Afridi. Gambhir smacked Afridi for a four, and the two exchanged some ugly words. The verbal dispute quickly escalated into a physical confrontation when the two collided -- most likely on purpose -- while Gambhir was attempting to take a single. What followed was another violent exchange between the players, and the umpire had to step in.
Inzamam attacked a fan in Toronto
During the second match of the Sahara Cup in Toronto, Pakistani batting legend Inzamam-ul-Haq decided to charge at an Indian fan who had been heckling him with a megaphone from the stands throughout the play, calling him 'aloo' (potato), among other things.
The batsman had had enough of the spectators' rude attitude and asked 12th man Mohammad Hussain to fetch him a bat from the dressing room while fielding at fine leg. Once Inzamam had the bat, he skipped over the fence and charged the fan.
The incident later landed Inzamam in trouble, as a complaint was filed against him in Toronto, and it wasn't until India captain Mohammad Azharuddin intervened that he was eventually let free without much fuss.
Sachin Tendulkar run-out after colliding with Shoaib
The match is significant for pace maestro Shoaib Akhtar introducing himself to the world with back-to-back yorkers that helped eliminate Rahul Dravid and Sachin Tendulkar. Akhtar, on the other hand, sparked controversy later in the match when he mistakenly stepped in front of Tendulkar as he attempted to finish a third run. Tendulkar collided with Akhtar just short of the non-striker's crease, and a throw from substitute fielder Nadeem Khan hit the stumps, resulting in him being run out on 9.
The Eden crowd is infamous for going crazy when it comes to expressing their displeasure, and they began rioting after Tendulkar was dismissed, forcing the rest of the game to be played behind closed doors.
- PTC NEWS
