Semi-final between India-Pakistan in 2011 was a final in itself: Simon Taufel

Umpire Simon Taufel has said that the semi-final between India and Pakistan in the World Cup 2011 in Mohali was like a final in itself.

"The semi-final in Mohali was certainly a wonderful occasion and in a lot of ways, it was a final in itself. It seemed like the whole world was watching us, it seemed like the whole world had their private jets parked at Chandigarh Airport," Taufel told ICC.

This was the fifth occasion when India and Pakistan were locking horns with each other in a ODI World Cup. They later played against each other in 2015 and 2019 editions as well. India have a 100% win record against Pakistan in the World Cups.

The MS Dhoni-led side defeated Pakistan in the semi-final and marched into the title clash to face Sri Lanka in Mumbai. The hosts beat the Lankan Lions to win the World Cup after 28 years.

India had batted first against Pakistan in the semis and managed to score 260/9 in 50 overs. Master Blaster Sachin Tendulkar top-scored for the team with 85 while Suresh Raina chipped in with 36 in the later part of the innings.

For Pakistan, it was Wahab Riaz who was the pick of the bowlers as he scalped a fifer during the course. The home side later bundled out Pakistan for 231 to win the match by 29 runs. This was the third instance when India had made a place for themselves in the final of a ODI World Cup.

They did it in 1983 and went on to win the tournament after beating West Indies under the captaincy of Kapil Dev. The second time India registered a place in a World Cup final was in 2003 under the leadership of Sourav Ganguly. The Men in Blue though suffered a defeat in the final against Australia.

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Zahid Mahmood replaces Shadab Khan in T20I squads against South Africa, Zimbabwe

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IPL 2021: Ricky Ponting's speeches reminds Prithvi Shaw of Chakde India

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