For decades, the UAE has been the battleground of some of the most unforgettable India-Pakistan One-Day International clashes. From the legendary Sharjah thrillers of the 1980s and 1990s to modern-day encounters in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, this neutral turf has witnessed heartbreaks, last-ball finishes and heroic performances. Here are five of the most memorable…
ROTHMANS CUP: March 22, 1985, Sharjah
Result: India won by 38 runs
This low-scoring thriller in Sharjah was testament to India’s bowling prowess and ability to defend small totals. On a difficult pitch where batting was challenging, India managed to scrape together 125 runs in their 50 overs, primarily through contributions from Mohammad Azharuddin and Kapil Dev. Imran Khan was the standout bowler for Pakistan with figures of 6/14. The Pakistani bowling attack maintained pressure throughout the Indian innings, making run-scoring extremely difficult.
However, what seemed like a small target turned into a mountain for Pakistan as India’s bowlers, led by Kapil Dev, Laxman Sivaramakrishnan and Ravi Shastri delivered one of their most memorable bowling performances. The Pakistani batting lineup struggled against the disciplined bowling, with only Ramiz Raja showing resistance with 29. Kapil Dev’s spell of 3/17 was crucial. The victory was significant – it came a week after Pakistan dominated India in their previous match at the same venue.
Brief scores: India 125/7 in 50 overs (Mohammad Azharuddin 47, Kapil Dev 30; Imran Khan 6/14, Tauseef Ahmed 2/27) vs Pakistan 87 all out in 32.5 overs (Ramiz Raja 29; Kapil Dev 3/17, Laxman Sivaramakrishnan 2/16, Ravi Shastri 2/17).
AUSTRAL-ASIA CUP FINAL: April 18, 1986, Sharjah
Result: Pakistan won by 1 wicket
This match epitomized everything that makes India-Pakistan cricket special. India batted first and posted 245/7, thanks largely to Sunil Gavaskar’s measured 92 and Kris Srikkanth’s aggressive 75. Their partnership set up what seemed like a winning total on a challenging Sharjah pitch.
Pakistan’s chase was dramatic from the start. Javed Miandad came in with Pakistan at 61/3. After some rebuilding, they found themselves needing four runs off the last ball, with Miandad on strike facing Chetan Sharma. What happened next became cricketing folklore and caused deep trauma to a generation of Indian fans. Sharma attempted a yorker but delivered a full toss, which Miandad dispatched over the midwicket boundary for six. The shot sent the packed stadium into a frenzy.
Miandad’s unbeaten 116 was a masterclass in how to bat under pressure. The psychological impact on Indian cricket was immense. India wouldn’t beat Pakistan in Sharjah for several years after this match. The last-ball six became a symbol of Pakistan’s dominance over India in that era.
Brief scores: India 245/7 in 50 overs (Sunil Gavaskar 92, Kris Srikkanth 75, Dilip Vengsarkar 50; Wasim Akram 3/45, Imran Khan 2/40) vs Pakistan 248/9 in 50 overs (Javed Miandad 116 not out, Mohsin Khan 36; Chetan Sharma 3/51, Madan Lal 2/53).
WILLS TROPHY: Oct 23, 1991, Sharjah
Result: Pakistan won by 4 runs
Another thriller in which Pakistan clinched a narrow 4-run victory. Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat, scoring 257/7. Aamer Sohail spearheaded the batting effort with a well composed 91 off 133 balls. Zahid Fazal contributed 39 during a partnership with Sohail, while Saleem Malik added 42 to keep the momentum going. Skipper Imran Khan played a brisk innings of 43 off just 24 deliveries.
India’s bowling attack faced challenges in containing the Pakistani batsmen. Kapil Dev was the most economical, conceding 31 runs and taking one wicket off his 10 overs, while Javagal Srinath also picked up two wickets.
Chasing 258, India began cautiously. Ravi Shastri anchored the innings with a solid 77 off 99 balls. Vinod Kambli contributed 40 in an opening-wicket partnership of 124 runs with Shastri. But wickets started to fall at regular intervals thereafter. Down the order, Sachin Tendulkar scored 49 off 38 deliveries to keep India in the hunt but a late-order collapse prevented India from reaching the target.
Pakistan’s bowling attack, led by Wasim Akram, kept the pressure on. Akram took two while Aaqib Javed picked up one wicket during India’s chase.
Brief scores: Pakistan 257/7 in 50 overs (Aamer Sohail 91, Imran Khan 43, Saleem Malik 42; Javagal Srinath 2/55) vs India 253/6 in 50 overs (Ravi Shastri 77, Sachin Tendulkar 49; Wasim Akram 2/44).
PEPSI SHARJAH CUP: April 15, 1996, Sharjah
Result: India won by 28 runs
A match that finally broke Pakistan’s dominance in Sharjah, featuring one of the finest batting displays of batting by the Indian top-order. The highlight was the 231-run second-wicket partnership between Sachin Tendulkar and Navjot Singh Sidhu, who both scored brilliant centuries. Tendulkar was particularly aggressive, hitting 118 off 140 balls with 8 fours and 2 sixes, while Sidhu’s 101 provided the perfect foil.
The partnership was significant as it came against a strong Pakistani bowling attack featuring Waqar Younis, Saqlain Mushtaq and Aaqib Javed. The way both batsmen handled the Pakistani pacers in the scorching Sharjah heat was remarkable.
Pakistan’s chase was spirited, led by Aamer Sohail’s aggressive 78 and Rashid Latif’s solid 50. The duo maintained a good run-rate and kept Pakistan in the hunt. However, Anil Kumble’s stingy spell proved to be the difference. His 2/38 included key wickets of Latif and Saleem Malik, breaking the backbone of Pakistan’s chase.
Brief scores: India 305/5 in 50 overs (Sachin Tendulkar 118, Navjot Sidhu 101; Waqar Younis 3/44) vs Pakistan 277 all out in 46.1 overs (Aamer Sohail 78, Rashid Latif 50; Javagal Srinath 3/65, Anil Kumble 2/38, Sachin Tendulkar 2/40).
DLF CUP: April 19, 2006, Abu Dhabi
Result: India won by 51 runs
One part of a two-match series played for charity, the match is particularly remembered for Irfan Pathan’s brilliant opening spell, in which he got the wickets of Shahid Afridi and Imran Farhat with some quality swing bowling.
India’s innings was built around three key knocks. Rahul Dravid, captaining the side, played a characteristic anchor role with his 92. Virender Sehwag was the aggressor, scoring a quick 73. Mahendra Singh Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh provided the late flourish with scores of 59 and 24, helping India reach a competitive 269/5 in 50 overs.
Naved-ul-Hasan was the pick of the Pakistani bowlers, taking 2/45 with his precise seam bowling. However, Pakistan’s fielding let them down and there were several dropped catches.
During the chase, Pakistan started steadily but kept losing wickets at regular intervals. Inzamam-ul-Haq played a lone hand with his 79 but received little support from the other end.
Brief scores: India 269/5 in 50 overs (Rahul Dravid 92, Virender Sehwag 73, MS Dhoni 59; Naved-ul-Hasan 2/45) vs Pakistan 218 all out in 45.2 overs (Inzamam-ul-Haq 79, Shoaib Malik 45; Irfan Pathan 3/35, Romesh Powar 3/61).