Rewind to March 2004: India tours Pakistan

[msb314]

As some of you may remember - India toured Pakistan back in March 2004 in what was billed as an iconic series! India had not toured Pakistan since 1989 and political tensions between the two countries had been high during that period. However, Sheheryar Khan did finally make it happen!

The first ODI was played in Karachi with India narrow winning by 6 runs and damn what a game it was! I would probably consider it one of the finest ODI games ever played (on par with the 438 game). India has posted 349 and in fact looked set to score even more had we not pulled things back in the death overs. Dravid was out on 99 and Sehwag scored quickly and heavily. Our chase on that other had had a stumbling start and we were at one stage 38/2 after 12 overs but then Inzy and MoYo played absolute blinders along with supporting knocks from YK. We scored 344 runs which, at the time, was the highest score batting 2nd

The 2nd ODI was also a high scoring affair with Afridi bludgeoning away at the top order (imo he should have played more as an opener in the subcontinent) with Razzaq finishing off our innings with a great cameo as we reached 329/6. India had chased really well with Tendulkar scoring an fantastic 141 before getting caught out by Shoaib Malik. India however were bundled our for 317 falling just short.

The 3rd ODI was played in Peshawar and was a relatively low scoring game - India had scored 244 with Yuvraj Singh scoring a half century. Our chase was all about Yasir Hameed who played a great great knock despite regular wickets falling until he was dismissed for 98. We won the game by 4 wickets.

The 4th ODI was played in Lahore and Pakistan amassed 293 with Inzy scoring another century. India's chase saw them stumble to 95/3 at one point but Dravid and Kaif saw them home in what was a very fine chase squaring the series at 2-2.

The 5th ODI saw India amass 293. Pakistan began the chase poorly losing regular wickets throughout and an absolute stunning catch by Tendulkar to get rid to Inzy at the long on boundary! Moin Khan and Shoaib Malik gave us some hope with a good parnership along with some late hitting by Mohammad Sami but Pakistan were bowled out for 253 as India won by 40 runs and clinched the ODI series 3-2.

Now moving on to the Test series - the first test match was played at Multan and saw Sehwag score a mammoth 309 as India piled on 675/5. He particularly plundered Saqlain Mushtaq who played his last ever test before retiring. There was some controversy when Dravid declared when Tendulkar was not out on 194 but Pakistan were made to follow on after scoring 407 and then getting bundled out cheaply with only MoYo scoring a century as India won by an innings and 52 runs.

The 2nd test saw Pakistan make a come back with Umar Gul taking a 5 fer and Inzy scoring a century as Pakistan made 489. India were bowled out cheaply again as Farhat and Hameed secured a relatively easy chase of 40 runs to square the Test Series at 1-1.

The 3rd test saw Dravid score a career best 270 until he was finally bowled by.... Imran Farhat! India scored a total of 600 runs but Pakistan collapsed cheaply with only Mohammad Sami providing some resistance. We followed on and were all out for 245 with Asim Kamal scoring consolatory 60 runs as India won the test series and the ODi series for the first time on Pakistani soil.

Personally, before this series, I had not watched cricket for a long time and had not seen any game since the 2003 WC and my interest in cricket was probably at an all-time low. I fell for the hype and tuned in to the first ODI and what an amazing amazing game it was! Reminded me why I loved the game so much and what I had missed out for the last 6 months! After this series, I never looked back and watched cricket intensely ever since. This series directly snowballed into the Woolmer-Inzy era where Inzy, YK, Moyo, Malik and even Kamran akmal were at their peak!

IMO India's tour of Pakistan in 2004 was one of the greatest ever series and definitely on par with the 2005 Ashes and the Australian tour of India 2001.

PP'ers please share your memories of this amazing and iconic series!!

 

[Sandeep]

IMO India's tour of Pakistan in 2004 was one of the greatest ever series and definitely on par with the 2005 Ashes and the Australian tour of India 2001.

How? Yes, there were some flat phattas and mammoth runs were scored, but no, it wasn't such a great series. Average one at best.

 

[msb314]

How? Yes, there were some flat phattas and mammoth runs were scored, but no, it wasn't such a great series. Average one at best.

All except one game were very close and exciting. The crowd and the atmosphere also contributed plus the fact that it was India's first tour of Pakistan for 16 years...

 

[Sandeep]

All except one game were very close and exciting. The crowd and the atmosphere also contributed plus the fact that it was India's first tour of Pakistan for 16 years...

I'm not sure many people remember the results of this series except for that one game when Inzamam almost takes Pakistan home..

 

[sensible-indian-fan]

I'm not sure many people remember the results of this series except for that one game when Inzamam almost takes Pakistan home..

No no people remember the series fondly bro.

 

[Abhilash93]

I still remember Irfan Pathan & Balaji were our frontline pacers
And before the series, Javed Miandad tried to provoke the Indians by saying Hamari galli galli me Irfan Pathan jaise bowlers milte hai or something like that! Also, his gesturing from the dressing room was funny to watch. The ODI series was quite exciting till the very end. Yasir Hameed & Inzy somehow always stepped up playing against India.

Only memories of the Test series are the Sehwag 309 & Dravid playing a reverse sweep on 270 to get out! Also, the Pathan hatrick & Umar Gul single-handedly destroying India in the 2nd Test.

 

[desi_launda]

During that time I got bored of the repetitive series between these 2 teams

 

[Slog]

The Karachi game. What a match!

What an honor to have been there. Greatest ODI I ever saw

 

[Slog]

During that time I got bored of the repetitive series between these 2 teams

by the 2007/08 India tour I was pretty bored

For the 2004, 2005, 2006 series' I watched pretty much every 80+% of every match.

For the 2007 tour to India dont think I saw a single ball. That was a period where Id totally forgotten about existence of cricket. Not sure why

 

[samplepiece]

I remember the tour very fondly. Anyone remembers Moin getting bowled off Sachin in the last over of the day's play?

 

[JaDed]

One of the best series not sure what one of the posters above is saying i remember that series very well and great crowd i thought we were moving in the right direction with us touring each other.
Sad how things are a decade later.

 

[Slog]

I remember the tour very fondly. Anyone remembers Moin getting bowled off Sachin in the last over of the day's play?

yup. everyone was surprised lol. It was a pretty good delivery actually and Moin's head wasnt quite there for that ball

 

[Slog]

I remember in the Karachi ODI Razzaq hit one huuuge six which hit the metal roofing in our stand. There was a big sound and the ball fell a couple of rows from where I was sitting

 

[Cricfan4eva]

India's world cup campaign followed by Australia tour and then the Pak tour. One of the most memorable periods as an Indian cricket fan. Top quality cricket.

Sent from my ASUS_Z008D using Tapatalk

 

[Stallion__]

I remember the tour very fondly. Anyone remembers Moin getting bowled off Sachin in the last over of the day's play?

Can't forget that.

And also, Razzaq getting out on the first ball of the next day

 

[Mamoon]

It was a terrific series. That 344 in quest of the 350 in Karachi was something special. At that time, it was one of the highest total ever against a non-minnow, and no one had chased in excess of 330.

We had a poor start but Inzamam and MoYo exhibited one of the ODI partnership of the decade and we were cruising at one stage, before Kaif pulled off a great catch of Malik.

We clearly bottled that case.

I was there for the third ODI, but it was easily the worst of the series.

Should have finished the series in Lahore in the 4th ODI, especially after reducing them to 91/4, but Dravid and Kaif played brilliant knocks.

The return series in India in 2005 was fantastic as well, but the 2006 and 2007 ones did not have the same spirit.

 

[Mamoon]

I remember in the Karachi ODI Razzaq hit one huuuge six which hit the metal roofing in our stand. There was a big sound and the ball fell a couple of rows from where I was sitting

Yeah, off Balaji. That was a sensational hit.

 

[Varun]

I have very fond memories of Indian cricket circa 2002 - 2010.

Everything since 2011 has been utter trash on the other hand.

 

[Pete Rose]

2004 was a breakthrough series but painful to watch as a Pakistani fan.
Pakistan were expecting to find the usually timid indian team with a few stand out performances by tendulkar, dravid, or ganguly (but not necessarily in the same match).
Instead we were exposed to a new generation of player (the recalled sehwag, balaji, parthiv patel, irfan etc) who were riding supremely high on a very successful tour to Australia and refused to be be bullied by Pakistan.

 

[Amjid Javed]

The famous jeet lo dil series with pakistan playing loving hosts during the series v India.

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

In those days, the Pakistani physio happened to be the Uncle (Mamoo) of my roommate in the university. We got free passes for all the cricket played in Rawalpindi and also got back room access to the players in the hotel where the teams were staying.

Met many of the players playing that series from both India and Pakistan including Rahul Dravid who looked more scholarly than many of our teachers. Azhar Mehmood and his wife were also very nice to us and spent some extra time with us. Shoaib Malik those days was (allegedly and jokingly) having a telephonic affair with someone in India (not Sania Mirza) and the players (especially Azhar Mehmood) would take the mickey out of him on that.

Tendulkar was inaccessible and reserved, Ganguly walked around like he was the king of the world and Balaji seemed extremely happy to sign autographs and appear in fan pictures. If anything, just because of his calm demeanor at that time, he remains one of my favorite most players ever. Shoaib Akhtar had a great relationship with the team physio who happened to be our source so we managed to spend some time with Akhtar as well and he was very different from his media portrayal - something that was a pleasant surprise.

The Rawalpindi test was special for personal reasons. Unlike the ODI's where we had just 2 passes, for the test we were given about 10 passes for each day. No one in the hostel wanted to go there so we had to beg our friends to come with us. We decided to go dressed up in Indian team colors, found face paint and managed to draw Indian flags and saw the whole test being Indian supporters. Sitting by the player gallery and chanting team India and Dravid on for his mammoth innings. The best part about the series was the spirit in the stands and the genuine Indian supporters who had actually traveled all the way from India appreciated our gesture greatly. We developed good friendships with the few who were in Rawalpindi and although, not in touch with any of those people now, it was still fun while it lasted.

Have fond memories of the tour (off the field) but there was nothing special to remember from Pakistan's point of view on the field. We lost two tests and a series to India on our own soil which used to be an impenetrable fortress. Our so called famed bowling line-up for the series was outgunned totally by no-names and newbies and our batting failures were of colossal nature.

Speaking strictly cricket wise, it was not a special series like the Ashes or the great series that we have had with the mighty West Indies in the past. The tests were one sided and no test went in to the final overs or last sessions or had great magical sessions - moments yes, sessions and days, definitely no. The best thing to come out from the tour probably was the book "Pundits from Pakistan: Rahul Bhattacharya" which I believe every cricket fan in Pakistan should read if possible.

Overall, I remember this series as one where i finally realized that cricket can be used as a tool to create harmony and peace rather than creating hate and divide and for that, despite our loss on the field, this series turned out to be a great success and it should be remembered as an iconic series for that reason alone.

 

[Sandeep]

Speaking strictly cricket wise, it was not a special series

I was trying to make this point earlier. Sorry if I offended anyone..

 

[Mamoon]

I don't think that series lacked quality cricket. We saw some fantastic individual performances.

 

[JaDed]

In those days, the Pakistani physio happened to be the Uncle (Mamoo) of my roommate in the university. We got free passes for all the cricket played in Rawalpindi and also got back room access to the players in the hotel where the teams were staying.

Met many of the players playing that series from both India and Pakistan including Rahul Dravid who looked more scholarly than many of our teachers. Azhar Mehmood and his wife were also very nice to us and spent some extra time with us. Shoaib Malik those days was (allegedly and jokingly) having a telephonic affair with someone in India (not Sania Mirza) and the players (especially Azhar Mehmood) would take the mickey out of him on that.

Tendulkar was inaccessible and reserved, Ganguly walked around like he was the king of the world and Balaji seemed extremely happy to sign autographs and appear in fan pictures. If anything, just because of his calm demeanor at that time, he remains one of my favorite most players ever. Shoaib Akhtar had a great relationship with the team physio who happened to be our source so we managed to spend some time with Akhtar as well and he was very different from his media portrayal - something that was a pleasant surprise.

The Rawalpindi test was special for personal reasons. Unlike the ODI's where we had just 2 passes, for the test we were given about 10 passes for each day. No one in the hostel wanted to go there so we had to beg our friends to come with us. We decided to go dressed up in Indian team colors, found face paint and managed to draw Indian flags and saw the whole test being Indian supporters. Sitting by the player gallery and chanting team India and Dravid on for his mammoth innings. The best part about the series was the spirit in the stands and the genuine Indian supporters who had actually traveled all the way from India appreciated our gesture greatly. We developed good friendships with the few who were in Rawalpindi and although, not in touch with any of those people now, it was still fun while it lasted.

Have fond memories of the tour (off the field) but there was nothing special to remember from Pakistan's point of view on the field. We lost two tests and a series to India on our own soil which used to be an impenetrable fortress. Our so called famed bowling line-up for the series was outgunned totally by no-names and newbies and our batting failures were of colossal nature.

Speaking strictly cricket wise, it was not a special series like the Ashes or the great series that we have had with the mighty West Indies in the past. The tests were one sided and no test went in to the final overs or last sessions or had great magical sessions - moments yes, sessions and days, definitely no. The best thing to come out from the tour probably was the book "Pundits from Pakistan: Rahul Bhattacharya" which I believe every cricket fan in Pakistan should read if possible.

Overall, I remember this series as one where i finally realized that cricket can be used as a tool to create harmony and peace rather than creating hate and divide and for that, despite our loss on the field, this series turned out to be a great success and it should be remembered as an iconic series for that reason alone.

good post.

 

[_Salman_]

Still can't believe Saqlain hasn't played again ever since that bashing he got. And Waqar hasn't played since he was 31.

 

[Big Mac]

The only thing that comes close to that Inzi innings was Balaji hitting Shoaib back over his head for six

 

[Markhor]

The Test series was disappointing. But boy, that ODI series was one of the greatest I've ever seen.

The Karachi ODI felt like a supernatural experience. The crowd were beyond description, every run cheered, every wicket roared as if it was the most important wicket ever, even the Indians were cheered. Ganguly said he could barely hear his fielders. The game itself was astonishing. Our bowlers went completely haywire with 20 no balls and 10 wides. In one Rana Naved over he conceded 17 runs before his second legal delivery ! India were going at a frankly ridiculous rate - they notched up 120 after 12 overs. Scores of 349 doesn't raise an eyebrow today but back in 2004 it was a mammoth, unchaseable, incomprehensible total. But Pakistan embarked on the mother of all chases. Hameed and Farhat got out early like our openers always did back then. At 34-2 it felt like one summit too high. Then Yousuf and Inzamam come in. That partnership was breathtaking and its still envisioned in my mind as clearly as it was 11 years ago. First thing after drinks Inzamam launched Murali Kartik straight back for six. Ganguly got launched for 14 off his one over and Tendulkar leaked 34 off 3. It was the old Viv Richards mantra of see ball, hit ball. Memorably there were two sixes hit by Yousuf off Sachin that were identical - two inside out lofts over long-off. The feet barely moved but the bat swung like a machete. Yousuf made batting look so, so easy.

Yousuf got done by Sehwag who seemingly had the tour of his lifetime - if he wasn't tearing into us with the bat he haunted us with the ball and Pakistan were 169-3 after 28 overs, still a long, long way to go. Inzamam continued, seemingly on a one-man crusade as it often was during that 2004-2007 period, to win the match with his bat. Inzy was utterly ridiculous at times - he seemed to have all the time in the world against the seamers and he dispatched the spin bowlers who dared enter his presence with utter disdain. Ashish Nehra had one delivery that was swatted away by Inzy as if he was removing a pest fly.

As Rahul Bhattacharya said in his fantastic book:

In the rising run-rate, in the rising tension, in the rising sound, in the rising hopelessness, Inzamam unfurled such inspired, resonating strokeplay, that it bore comparison with that first burst of youth, at the 1992 World Cup semi-final, where as a virtual unknown in the eyes of the world he made possible an impossible victory. But this was not the diffident youngster who had requested he be dropped before the match. This was now the leader. Twelve years on, he was bigger, broader, curiously less hunched over the bat, he wore a beard, and even a helmet. The grimace was exactly the same.

Then Inzy nicks one off Murali Kartik. The big man ironically trying something a bit too cute and is out for a breathless 122 off 102. Rahul Dravid was behind the stumps that day, a normally very cool and composed individual went beserk, appealing his lungs off and the Indians huddled around perhaps thinking it was over. Inzy WAS Pakistan's batting more often than not. He got a standing ovation and deservedly so but Pakistan still needed 72 off 47 which is certainly gettable by today's standards. Younis Khan and Abdul Razzaq came in - how could they top what they had just seen ?

As [MENTION=138463]Slog[/MENTION] mentioned, Razzaq hit one delivery that hit the National Stadium's roof. As Dean Jones said "Pakistan should've got 12 for that !" The crowd was absolutely deafening even watching on TV thousands of miles away, the stadium shaking to a seismic roar as that ball was launched into the stratosphere and hung in the air for a lifetime. Then Razzaq got deceived by a very, very good Zaheer Khan slower ball. Dancing down the track and missing. Zaheer doesn't get enough credit as a bowler.

Of course then the moment happens that every Pakistani and Indian fan will never forget. Shoaib Malik goes for a straight slog and Mohammad Kaif damn near kills himself to claim a magical catch. He runs 30 yards from long-off to long-on, and dived right in front of the nose of Hemang Badani. That took serious cojones.

So then the final delivery. And of course, the scoreline had to be that Pakistan needed 6 runs off the final ball in one final twist. Indeed Javed Miandad was our coach that day. Minds instantly transported to Sharjah all those years ago. Chetan Sharma's career arguably defined by that one ball This really was the ultimate destiny match. Ashish Nehra wasn't going to be another Chetan Sharma unfortunately as Moin Khan chipped one straight to Zaheer Khan at mid-off. Pakistan by this stage had punched themselves out. Still to this day all those no-balls and wides haunt me, if only Rana Naved had got his bloody foot behind the line a few more times.

Maybe its the Brit in me and even the Pakistani in all of us but there's something about a heroic defeat. The tragic martyr. For Pakistan who've never enjoyed the infrastructural advantages of other more developed, richer nations. For a country whose success is only in SPITE of its system and not because of it. For a team that's always seemingly up against the odds - this was the one last summit we couldn't scale. But we nearly did, we nearly pulled off the miracle chase.

Then the final cherry on top of an already enormous cake. 33,000 people inside Karachi's National Stadium to a man and woman, stood up and gave a standing ovation to both teams. India got applauded off the field. For all those speeches at the MCC every year about spirit of cricket generally by old white men - look to the sub-continent as THAT WAS spirit of cricket in one moment.

It was Chennai in 1999 and the people of Karachi reciprocated in 2004. All the politics, the nationalism, the visceral hatred and the raw emotions brushed aside in that moment. Its been 11 years and I still have tears in my eyes looking back to that ending. It will be to the eternal credit to the people of Karachi for the way they conducted themselves. Magic. The greatest One Day International I have ever seen.

One of the handful of flags that made it inside the ground was half-Indian, half-Pakistani, and had on it the message: "One blood."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Blo5_X6xGuA

 

[the Great Khan]

The famous jeet lo dil series with pakistan playing loving hosts during the series v India.

lol yes indeed. Remember PP in those days lol..Jeet lo dil gave rise to Jeet lo juti a year or two later..

 

[Gotham Cronie]

This was the series that got me hooked on cricket.

Had never watched any matches before it.

 

[Stallion__]

Of course then the moment happens that every Pakistani and Indian fan will never forget. Shoaib Malik goes for a straight slog and Mohammad Kaif damn near kills himself to claim a magical catch. He runs 30 yards from long-off to long-on, and dived right in front of the nose of Hemang Badani. That took serious cojones.

That catch was just ................

When that catch was taken, I screamed unintentionally "I am going to kill you Kaif!" (in Urdu ofc).

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Terrific series. Probably the last ODI series I actually enjoyed watching. As someone mentioned that score of 349 or so was rare back in 2004 especially against a bowling lineup as good as Pakistan's.

 

[Sidilicious]

I was at uni in the UK those days, and didn't have TV. Used watch cricket either on the pub, or follow it over cricinfo.

The first match of the series was on a sunday, and for some reason I could not go to the pub. Following that match on cricinfo became unbearable when the last over came. I remember calling my dad all the way to India just to hear the commentary live. I screamed like a child when Zak caught Moin Khan in the last ball.

 

[Slog]

I was at uni in the UK those days, and didn't have TV. Used watch cricket either on the pub, or follow it over cricinfo.

The first match of the series was on a sunday, and for some reason I could not go to the pub. Following that match on cricinfo became unbearable when the last over came. I remember calling my dad all the way to India just to hear the commentary live. I screamed like a child when Zak caught Moin Khan in the last ball.

Ahh and cricinfo during those days was almost always on a few overs lag lol

That Moin Khan shot was terrible. We needed 9 from the final over. I still remember reading it off the newly installed screen at the NSK.

 

[Slog]

It was a terrific series. That 344 in quest of the 350 in Karachi was something special. At that time, it was one of the highest total ever against a non-minnow, and no one had chased in excess of 330.

We had a poor start but Inzamam and MoYo exhibited one of the ODI partnership of the decade and we were cruising at one stage, before Kaif pulled off a great catch of Malik.

We clearly bottled that case.

I was there for the third ODI, but it was easily the worst of the series.

Should have finished the series in Lahore in the 4th ODI, especially after reducing them to 91/4, but Dravid and Kaif played brilliant knocks.

The return series in India in 2005 was fantastic as well, but the 2006 and 2007 ones did not have the same spirit.

Wasnt that the match where Hameed scored a fluent 98 and Afridi scored big on his comeback? (85 if Im not wrong).

I used to be such a huge fan of Yasir those days and genuinely thought he could go to the next level. (Was too young to spot his glaring off stump weakness.) But I remember before the series, TEN Sports were bigging him up as the Next Big Thing in their promos

 

[Cricketfan no 1]

the best memory for me regarding that series was that i was at marriot Islamabad at a cousin's marriage and while i was walking in the gallery , i watched a man who was familiar and when i went close , he was shoaib Akhtar and that was a moment of happiness , then met many players from our side and Indian side
i remember Irfan pathan and Muhammad Kaif , very very nice guys , i was a hardly in 3rd grade at that time but passion was cricket was there since i opened my eyes

 

[TheNightWatchman]

I remember Sami getting smashed in that series and pretty badly too.
The first match was legendary

 

[Mamoon]

Wasnt that the match where Hameed scored a fluent 98 and Afridi scored big on his comeback? (85 if Im not wrong).

I used to be such a huge fan of Yasir those days and genuinely thought he could go to the next level. (Was too young to spot his glaring off stump weakness.) But I remember before the series, TEN Sports were bigging him up as the Next Big Thing in their promos

Afridi scored 80 on his comeback in Rawalpindi. That was the second ODI.

Yes, Hameed scored 98 in his home ground in the third ODI in Peshawar. What a majestic innings, it was truly heartbreaking to see him miss out on a hundred. Other than that, it was a boring match, the pitch was sluggish.

Hameed was a top talent and could have easily been a Pakistani great. He is the only cricketer I know personally and have met several times, and he has a very timid personality and lacks confidence. These qualities are important to survive at the top level, you have to impose yourself.

Hameed had all the skills but the pressure of international cricket got the better of him and although he was technically very sound by Pakistani standards, he failed to work on his minor weaknesses to survive as an international cricketer.

He could have been a quality opener/number 3 in Tests and ODIs, with an average of 45+ and many hundreds.

 

[msb314]

The Test series was disappointing. But boy, that ODI series was one of the greatest I've ever seen.

The Karachi ODI felt like a supernatural experience. The crowd were beyond description, every run cheered, every wicket roared as if it was the most important wicket ever, even the Indians were cheered. Ganguly said he could barely hear his fielders. The game itself was astonishing. Our bowlers went completely haywire with 20 no balls and 10 wides. In one Rana Naved over he conceded 17 runs before his second legal delivery ! India were going at a frankly ridiculous rate - they notched up 120 after 12 overs. Scores of 349 doesn't raise an eyebrow today but back in 2004 it was a mammoth, unchaseable, incomprehensible total. But Pakistan embarked on the mother of all chases. Hameed and Farhat got out early like our openers always did back then. At 34-2 it felt like one summit too high. Then Yousuf and Inzamam come in. That partnership was breathtaking and its still envisioned in my mind as clearly as it was 11 years ago. First thing after drinks Inzamam launched Murali Kartik straight back for six. Ganguly got launched for 14 off his one over and Tendulkar leaked 34 off 3. It was the old Viv Richards mantra of see ball, hit ball. Memorably there were two sixes hit by Yousuf off Sachin that were identical - two inside out lofts over long-off. The feet barely moved but the bat swung like a machete. Yousuf made batting look so, so easy.

Yousuf got done by Sehwag who seemingly had the tour of his lifetime - if he wasn't tearing into us with the bat he haunted us with the ball and Pakistan were 169-3 after 28 overs, still a long, long way to go. Inzamam continued, seemingly on a one-man crusade as it often was during that 2004-2007 period, to win the match with his bat. Inzy was utterly ridiculous at times - he seemed to have all the time in the world against the seamers and he dispatched the spin bowlers who dared enter his presence with utter disdain. Ashish Nehra had one delivery that was swatted away by Inzy as if he was removing a pest fly.

As Rahul Bhattacharya said in his fantastic book:



Then Inzy nicks one off Murali Kartik. The big man ironically trying something a bit too cute and is out for a breathless 122 off 102. Rahul Dravid was behind the stumps that day, a normally very cool and composed individual went beserk, appealing his lungs off and the Indians huddled around perhaps thinking it was over. Inzy WAS Pakistan's batting more often than not. He got a standing ovation and deservedly so but Pakistan still needed 72 off 47 which is certainly gettable by today's standards. Younis Khan and Abdul Razzaq came in - how could they top what they had just seen ?

As [MENTION=138463]Slog[/MENTION] mentioned, Razzaq hit one delivery that hit the National Stadium's roof. As Dean Jones said "Pakistan should've got 12 for that !" The crowd was absolutely deafening even watching on TV thousands of miles away, the stadium shaking to a seismic roar as that ball was launched into the stratosphere and hung in the air for a lifetime. Then Razzaq got deceived by a very, very good Zaheer Khan slower ball. Dancing down the track and missing. Zaheer doesn't get enough credit as a bowler.

Of course then the moment happens that every Pakistani and Indian fan will never forget. Shoaib Malik goes for a straight slog and Mohammad Kaif damn near kills himself to claim a magical catch. He runs 30 yards from long-off to long-on, and dived right in front of the nose of Hemang Badani. That took serious cojones.

So then the final delivery. And of course, the scoreline had to be that Pakistan needed 6 runs off the final ball in one final twist. Indeed Javed Miandad was our coach that day. Minds instantly transported to Sharjah all those years ago. Chetan Sharma's career arguably defined by that one ball This really was the ultimate destiny match. Ashish Nehra wasn't going to be another Chetan Sharma unfortunately as Moin Khan chipped one straight to Zaheer Khan at mid-off. Pakistan by this stage had punched themselves out. Still to this day all those no-balls and wides haunt me, if only Rana Naved had got his bloody foot behind the line a few more times.

Maybe its the Brit in me and even the Pakistani in all of us but there's something about a heroic defeat. The tragic martyr. For Pakistan who've never enjoyed the infrastructural advantages of other more developed, richer nations. For a country whose success is only in SPITE of its system and not because of it. For a team that's always seemingly up against the odds - this was the one last summit we couldn't scale. But we nearly did, we nearly pulled off the miracle chase.

Then the final cherry on top of an already enormous cake. 33,000 people inside Karachi's National Stadium to a man and woman, stood up and gave a standing ovation to both teams. India got applauded off the field. For all those speeches at the MCC every year about spirit of cricket generally by old white men - look to the sub-continent as THAT WAS spirit of cricket in one moment.

It was Chennai in 1999 and the people of Karachi reciprocated in 2004. All the politics, the nationalism, the visceral hatred and the raw emotions brushed aside in that moment. Its been 11 years and I still have tears in my eyes looking back to that ending. It will be to the eternal credit to the people of Karachi for the way they conducted themselves. Magic. The greatest One Day International I have ever seen.

One of the handful of flags that made it inside the ground was half-Indian, half-Pakistani, and had on it the message: "One blood."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Blo5_X6xGuA

Beautiful post!

The memories are flooding back like the game was just yesterday! Thank you for this post sir!

 

[Vayuu]

My memory of that series was a rampaging sehwag and emerging balaji, he became so famous, they use to say balaji zara dheere chlo, those away swingers were peach, the way he smashed akhtar and Sami for sixes, the both were stunned, especially akhtar on top of that his smile, and yeah Inzi was called maamu in that series.

 

[msb314]

2004 was a breakthrough series but painful to watch as a Pakistani fan.
Pakistan were expecting to find the usually timid indian team with a few stand out performances by tendulkar, dravid, or ganguly (but not necessarily in the same match).
Instead we were exposed to a new generation of player (the recalled sehwag, balaji, parthiv patel, irfan etc) who were riding supremely high on a very successful tour to Australia and refused to be be bullied by Pakistan.

In those days, the Pakistani physio happened to be the Uncle (Mamoo) of my roommate in the university. We got free passes for all the cricket played in Rawalpindi and also got back room access to the players in the hotel where the teams were staying.

Met many of the players playing that series from both India and Pakistan including Rahul Dravid who looked more scholarly than many of our teachers. Azhar Mehmood and his wife were also very nice to us and spent some extra time with us. Shoaib Malik those days was (allegedly and jokingly) having a telephonic affair with someone in India (not Sania Mirza) and the players (especially Azhar Mehmood) would take the mickey out of him on that.

Tendulkar was inaccessible and reserved, Ganguly walked around like he was the king of the world and Balaji seemed extremely happy to sign autographs and appear in fan pictures. If anything, just because of his calm demeanor at that time, he remains one of my favorite most players ever. Shoaib Akhtar had a great relationship with the team physio who happened to be our source so we managed to spend some time with Akhtar as well and he was very different from his media portrayal - something that was a pleasant surprise.

The Rawalpindi test was special for personal reasons. Unlike the ODI's where we had just 2 passes, for the test we were given about 10 passes for each day. No one in the hostel wanted to go there so we had to beg our friends to come with us. We decided to go dressed up in Indian team colors, found face paint and managed to draw Indian flags and saw the whole test being Indian supporters. Sitting by the player gallery and chanting team India and Dravid on for his mammoth innings. The best part about the series was the spirit in the stands and the genuine Indian supporters who had actually traveled all the way from India appreciated our gesture greatly. We developed good friendships with the few who were in Rawalpindi and although, not in touch with any of those people now, it was still fun while it lasted.

Have fond memories of the tour (off the field) but there was nothing special to remember from Pakistan's point of view on the field. We lost two tests and a series to India on our own soil which used to be an impenetrable fortress. Our so called famed bowling line-up for the series was outgunned totally by no-names and newbies and our batting failures were of colossal nature.

Speaking strictly cricket wise, it was not a special series like the Ashes or the great series that we have had with the mighty West Indies in the past. The tests were one sided and no test went in to the final overs or last sessions or had great magical sessions - moments yes, sessions and days, definitely no. The best thing to come out from the tour probably was the book "Pundits from Pakistan: Rahul Bhattacharya" which I believe every cricket fan in Pakistan should read if possible.

Overall, I remember this series as one where i finally realized that cricket can be used as a tool to create harmony and peace rather than creating hate and divide and for that, despite our loss on the field, this series turned out to be a great success and it should be remembered as an iconic series for that reason alone.

You also have to keep in mind that it was an ATG Indian batting lineup who finally managed to beat Pakistan in Pakistan rather than their mediocre team from the 1990's.

Their batting lineup consisted of Sachin, Sehwag, Dravid, Ganguly (yes - he had a poor series but still) along with Laxman (who scored a century in the 5th ODI), Yuvraj (gun player in ODI's) and Kaif (the best fielder in the world at that time).

Some posters seem to think we had a strong bowling lineup and it was shock that India mustered 349 and two 600+ scores in the Tests but in reality our bowling was very weak. I seem to recall we had trundlers like Shabbir Ahmed, Razzaq and Sami whilst Shoaib Akhtar had always been inconsistent. We had no threatening spinner and by then Saqlain was over the hill and Kaneria had not established himself. Back then, Malik and Afridi were considered merely part timers.

Whilst India also had the likes of Murli Karthik along with Tendulkar and Ganguly trying to fill the overs - they also had experienced campaigners with the likes of Zaheer Kha, Harbhajan and Anil Kumble. Back then, Irfan Pathan was also considered a prodigy...

In batting, MoYo had one good ODI game and one good test innings but dissappeared otherwise. Afridi also did nothing apart from his 80 in the 2nd ODI and Yasir also only had one good innings in his hometown at Peshawar. Malik also only scored big in the final ODI with a big partnership with Moin Khan whilst YK was batting too low anyway. Imran Farhat was completely and utterly useless lol. Only Inzy was consistent throughout the series as he usually was on the subcontinent.

It seems like we had a strong team but there were glaring holes in our lineup - just like we do today! Some things never change I guess lol

 

[GoUgandaCranes]

You also have to keep in mind that it was an ATG Indian batting lineup who finally managed to beat Pakistan in Pakistan rather than their mediocre team from the 1990's.

Their batting lineup consisted of Sachin, Sehwag, Dravid, Ganguly (yes - he had a poor series but still) along with Laxman (who scored a century in the 5th ODI), Yuvraj (gun player in ODI's) and Kaif (the best fielder in the world at that time).

Some posters seem to think we had a strong bowling lineup and it was shock that India mustered 349 and two 600+ scores in the Tests but in reality our bowling was very weak. I seem to recall we had trundlers like Shabbir Ahmed, Razzaq and Sami whilst Shoaib Akhtar had always been inconsistent. We had no threatening spinner and by then Saqlain was over the hill and Kaneria had not established himself. Back then, Malik and Afridi were considered merely part timers.

Whilst India also had the likes of Murli Karthik along with Tendulkar and Ganguly trying to fill the overs - they also had experienced campaigners with the likes of Zaheer Kha, Harbhajan and Anil Kumble. Back then, Irfan Pathan was also considered a prodigy...

In batting, MoYo had one good ODI game and one good test innings but dissappeared otherwise. Afridi also did nothing apart from his 80 in the 2nd ODI and Yasir also only had one good innings in his hometown at Peshawar. Malik also only scored big in the final ODI with a big partnership with Moin Khan whilst YK was batting too low anyway. Imran Farhat was completely and utterly useless lol. Only Inzy was consistent throughout the series as he usually was on the subcontinent.

It seems like we had a strong team but there were glaring holes in our lineup - just like we do today! Some things never change I guess lol

Pakistan also did not have a poor batting line-up. Inziman, Yousuf, Younus were all there. The way we folded in the tests was just unacceptable. The pitches were flat except Rawalpindi which offered something to the Indian seam bowlers.

The ODI series loss was okay but in test, it should have been better. Bear in mind, with almost the same team, a few years later, we drew in India 1-1.

 

[Zaz]

That first odi in karachi was something else It was a rollercoaster ride with both teams ahead and behind several times in the game

Sehwag batted like there was no tmrw n inzy was on a one man mission batting with utter disdain

Memorable!

 

[Abdullah719]

When Sourav Ganguly gave security the slip to have kebabs on the streets of Pakistan in 2004

Former India captain Sourav Ganguly opened up about the memorable tour to Pakistan in 2003-04 and how tight the security arrangements were and despite that he managed to slip through one night from the team hotel to enjoy the local cuisine in the neighbouring country.

India thrashed the Pakistani team under Inzamam-ul-Haq in both the ODI and Test series, clinching them 3-2 and 2-1, respectively. Ganguly had missed the first two Tests but returned to lead the side in the remaining Test and 3-ODI series.

Apart from the cricket, the Indian players also enjoyed the local food on the streets of Pakistan during the 45-odd days they stayed in the country.

Ganguly relived his experiences on that historic tour and relived the days when he used to slip out of the team hotel to have kebabs on the streets of Pakistan.

"It was madness (the security). I went out to have food and was caught because I didn't inform the security. And our dear friend Rajdeep (Sardesai) he caught me and said the Indian captain is having kebabs on the food street and then the entire dinner finished after that. I had a cap on and I was quietly having dinner and I hope Rajdeep will see this interview and I hope he's keeping well.

"From that point of view (security measures), I actually got fed-up of the security people. I came out of the hotel room on the first day and saw, they used to call them tigers, and they had 2 people with AK-47s, one looking towards the door and one looking on the other side. So I had to go to the local manager and told him that we are here for 45 days, you please remove security from in front of the room, please put it in the lobby. Because we can't wake up every morning and see somebody standing there with an AK-47. If he misfires (laughs) we don't have to go till the lobby.

"I remember coming out of the airport in Karachi and driving towards the hotel. The entire road was shut and it was a good 10kms drive. And every side road leading on to the main road was blocked. And there was security, military, tigers wherever you see in every nook and corner. And the hotel we were staying in Karachi, I think it was on the 3rd floor, so the 2nd and 4th floors were not given to any guests. It was completely chock-a-block," Ganguly said on the fifth episode of India Today Inspiration.

India toured Pakistan again under Rahul Dravid's captaincy in 2005-06 and won the ODI series 4-1 but had lost the Tests 0-1 against the hosts. Later in 2009, the ICC barred all international teams from touring Pakistan after the 2009 terrorist attack on the Sri Lankan team bus outside the Gaddafi stadium in Lahore.

International cricket is slowly returning to Pakistan now with teams like South Africa, Zimbabwe and Sri Lanka having already toured the country.

https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cr...rav-ganguly-security-kebab-1632281-2019-12-29