India will take on Pakistan on Sunday (October 24) in the Group 2 match of the T20 World Cup 2021. With just three days to go before the arch rivals meet face off, let’s recall the top 5 controversial moments in India Vs Pakistan matches witnessed over the years.
In the 1992 World Cup, Pakistan’s Javed Miandad got annoyed with frequent appeals by Indian wicket-keeper Kiran More. He even complained to the umpire about it. Frustrated over yet another over-enthusiastic appeal for a leg-side catch, Miandad jumped to mimic More. What a hilarious show it was!
In the 1996 World Cup, Pakistan’s Amir Sohail looked quite dangerous as he smashed a half century chasing 287. An overconfident pointed towards the cover boundary, suggesting he would hit Venkatesh Prasad for four. Prasad clean bowled him on the very next delivery and the celebration and send-off that followed was memorable.
Pakistan needed just 40 runs off 41 balls when Inzamam-ul-Haq drove a delivery off S Sreesanth. Suresh Raina did well to stop it and threw back at the stumps. But Inzamam blocked the ball using his bat. After consulting with fellow umpire Asad Rauf, Simon Taufel declared Inzamam out for obstructing the field. He left fuming.
During an ODI in 2007, Gautam Gambhir hit Shahid Afridi for a boundary after which the later mumbled a few words. Gambhir didn’t react immediately but in the same over, collided with Afridi while taking a single. Words were exchanged and umpires had to step in.
In 2010 Asia Cup, wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal made an overzealous appeal against Gautam Gambhir for a catch. The umpire was not convinced. Later on during the drinks break, Gambhir and Kamran almost butted heads and had a verbal spat. Umpire Billy Bowden separated them as MS Dhoni pulled Gambhir away.