Indo-Pak games are more than cricket: More
An India versus Pakistan cricket match is not for the weak hearted. It involves a lot of passion and often emotions spill over on the field.
An India versus Pakistan cricket match is not for the weak hearted. It involves a lot of passion and often emotions spill over on the field.
The history of Indo-Pak rivalry, especially in the World Cup, is filled with instances when players' emotions boiled over.
Indian fans, nor the Pakistani fans for that matter, would not forget the duel between Venkatesh Prasad and Aamer Sohail in the quarter-final of the 1996 edition in Bangalore.
The combative opening batsman was leading Pakistan's spirited chase of the Indian target of 288 when he attempted to gain some psychological edge by sledging Prasad. But the Indian seamer had the last laugh when, after being carted for a boundary, sent Sohail's stump cart-wheeling.
"That was long ago. It won't have any effect (on tomorrow's semi-final)," Prasad told MiD DAY.
The other event that is now part of Indo-Pak cricket folklore is the one during the 1992 World Cup involving Javed Miandad and Kiran More.
On this occasion, the Indian wicketkeeper seemed to play the instigator's role with his constant chattering, prompting Miandad to the famous frog jump in imitation of More's style of appealing.
More clearly remembered the Sydney episode.
"That (incident) happened in the heat of the moment. Miandad and me were involved in a verbal spat. I was trying to irritate him and he reacted. I think everybody knew that," More told MiD DAY.
More said such instances happened in Indo-Pak games because players from both the teams were trying to give more than their 100 per cent. "An India versus Pakistan match is more than a cricket match. Both sides involve themselves more than cent percent and nobody wants to give room to the other," the 48-year-old said.
"Both the teams are extra-charged up. That's why players get involved in verbal duels. It was the same case with us. It's a mental thing as well." More believed India were the favourites in tomorrow's semi- final. "We are the favourites. We are playing well at the moment, but Pakistan have always shown a fighting spirit. That's why the match will be interesting," he said.