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On This Day In 1997: When Inzamam Took The ‘Aloo’ Taunt Too Far In IND Vs PAK Match

Poulomi Chakraborty

The Heated Moment On The Field (Source: @Aryaseen5911/x.com)The Heated Moment On The Field (Source: @Aryaseen5911/x.com)

Cricket is all about competition and excitement, but when India faces Pakistan, it reaches a whole new level. Over the years, the sport has seen countless rivalries, yet none match the intensity, passion, and grandeur of this royal clash.

Fans have often matched the on-field intensity of India-Pakistan clashes with their own madness. In 1997, this boiled over when Pakistan’s Inzamam-ul-Haq confronted an Indian fan for taunting him. Let’s explore how the coolest player, like ‘Inzi’, lost his cool.

Inzi Turns 'Aloo' Taunt Into An Unforgettable Chapter Of The India-Pakistan Rivalry

Since the birth of the game of cricket, the arch-rivals, India and Pakistan, have graced the big stage with some unforgettable clashes. But the drama hasn’t been limited to the field, as fans too have added their own flavor, often with sharp wit and fiery taunts. In 1997, one such remark from an Indian fan pushed Pakistan’s Inzamam-ul-Haq over the edge mid-match, sparking a fiery confrontation that etched itself into the immortal tales of this epic rivalry.

On that day, Team India and Pakistan were facing each other in an ODI match in Toronto. During that time, star Pakistan batter Inzamam-ul-Haq was a massive asset to their batting order. As both teams were on the field, the atmosphere was already unexplainable. Amidst this, an Indian fan from the stands mocked him with the word “Aloo,” sparking an incident that became unforgettable in the rivalry’s history.

The fan used a megaphone to carry on his chant over Inzamam-ul-Haq’s physique. Pakistan’s ‘Inzi’, known for his calm demeanor, couldn’t digest the harsh taunt. Grabbing his bat, the Pakistani batter stormed into the stands, leaving the cricket world stunned.

Players, officials, and umpires rushed to defuse the heated moment, and the match was halted for 40 minutes. Among the countless unforgettable moments of the India-Pakistan rivalry, this one stands out, when a fan’s taunt pushed a player to cross the boundary, turning it into a milestone chapter in the rivalry’s timeless saga.

Pakistan Left To Swallow Yet Another Heartbreak

The uncanny incident must have disturbed the Pakistani side, but another heartbreak for them was just a matter of time. Batting first, the Men in Green collapsed to a modest 116, suffering blow after blow. Hoping to defend the low total, they tried to put the brakes on the Men in Blue, but the plan backfired.

While opening the innings with Sourav Ganguly, Saba Karim walked away scoring only 9 runs, and after a while, Rahul Dravid made his way to the pavilion, scoring 14 runs in 25 balls. Sourav Ganguly kept the momentum alive with a solid 36 before handing it over to the finishers. After that, Sachin Tendulkar and Mohammad Azharuddin’s unbeaten 25 and 21 runs pushed India to an easy victory of 7 wickets with 92 balls in hand.