India Under-19 side beat Pakistan by 1 wicket (Source: @ESPNcricinfo/x.com)
Since cricket was introduced to the world, rivalries have grown alongside the game. Throughout cricket history, many rivalries have risen and faded, but none have commanded attention like the iconic India-Pakistan clash.
Despite being the closest neighbors, their rivalry chilled nerves, and fans enjoyed some of the unreal moments on the field. From men’s and women’s cricket to the next generation of young stars, the electric intensity of this showdown knows no bounds.
Just like the epic clashes in the senior World Cup, India vs Pakistan at the Under-19 World Cup has produced unforgettable moments. In 2012, when the arch rivals faced off on the big stage, the cricket world witnessed a heart-stopping drama. Let’s relive the thrills.
Babar Azam holds firm while Sandeep Sharma and Ravikant Singh deliver fire
The world may know them as neighbors, but the real story of India-Pakistan is full of twists nobody saw coming. After the partition, they crossed paths for the very first time in cricket in 1950, and the rivalry ignited. From men’s to youth tournaments, the cross-border tension has translated into nail-biting, edge-of-the-seat drama on the 22 yards.
Apart from the senior tournaments, the Under-19 World Cup has stored some outstanding tales of the evergreen rivalry, just as the thrilling clash of the 2012 edition. The arch-rivals faced each other on the big stage of the third quarter-final, and the world saw a clash of nerves.
After winning the toss, the Pakistan Under-19 side opted to bat first, but they lost two consecutive wickets without scoring a single run. Amidst the slump, Babar Azam and Umar Waheed stitched a 55-run partnership before Waheed walked away scoring 27 runs.
After that, the Indian bowlers wreaked havoc as Sandeep Sharma and Ravikant Singh led the way with three wickets each. As Pakistan was having a nightmare, young Babar Azam stepped up with a lion's heart and slammed a gritty fifty. Despite his heroics, Pakistan stumbled to a modest total of just 136 runs.
Pakistan strikes hard, but India holds firm under pressure
Chasing down the 137-run target, Team India was confident until the Men in Green rolled up their arms and channeled their domination. Opener and captain Unmukt Chand fell for a shocking six-ball duck, followed immediately by Prashant Chopra, who managed just four runs.
Deepening India’s woes, Zia-ul-Haq removed Hanuma Vihari on a duck, leaving India searching for answers. Aiming for a revival, Baba Aparajith and Vijay Zol turned the tide with a 66-run partnership. Zol fell after 36, but Aparajith held firm, smashing a crucial fifty before departing on 51.
After Aparajith walked away, Pakistan bowlers went back on a demolition as Team India lost a few consecutive wickets. With victory in their sights, the Men in Green seemed unstoppable, until one star rose, refusing to bow down to their arch-rivals.
Harmeet Singh holds his nerve as Pakistan faces a shocking ending
After losing seven wickets in 124 runs, Team India was close to victory until Azizullah came to bowl the 41st over. As India eyed an early finish, the Pakistani bowler flipped the script. Denting on the arch-rivals, he removed Kamal Passi and Ravikant Singh in the same over.
Standing at 127/9, they needed 10 runs for a victory with one wicket in hand. Where one small mistake could cost big, Harmeet Singh controlled his nerves and faced the lethal Pakistani bowling attack.
As the rivals tried everything to trouble the batter, Harmeet stood tall amidst the storm. With Sandeep Sharma holding firm at the other end, Harmeet calmly steered India closer to an impossible win. After scoring two runs in the last delivery of the 48th over, they registered a miraculous 1-wicket win, leaving the world stunned.
Pakistan’s bowlers were just one wicket away from scripting a famous win, but Harmeet Singh’s ice-cold grit flipped the script. Since the beginning to the last delivery, drama didn’t leave the match even for a single moment. In the glorious book of the India-Pakistan rivalry, this clash is definitely an iconic one.
