Friendship series v2.0

Last ball sixes, plundering 40 runs of 3 overs, chasing the highest ever target, successfully defending 120, running up highest individual scores, hitting sixes over 3rd man off the world's fastest bowler, 10-wicket-in-an-innings...... Anybody could be excused for relating these to examples of thrilling instances in world cricket. Such is the history of Indo-Pak clashes.

An Indo-Pak clash in cricket, at any level, is right up there alongside the Real Madrid-Barcelona, Arsenal-ManU, Lakers-Bulls or Brazil-Argentina clashes. This not only includes the passion and pressure but publicity and commercials as well. Add politics to that, and anyone would believe that cricket between India and Pakistan is actually a Hollywood box office hit, not a game.

For political reasons, a full series between India and Pakistan happened only once in the 90's. India did not visit Pak since 1989, and the Pakis reciprocated that gesture till they paid a visit in 1999. The hype was there, and the players did not disappoint. 2 5-fers by Saqlain Mushtaq was overshadowed by a magnificent century by Sachin Tendulkar at Chennai. Pakis went on to win the test by a whisker, and the whole game was overshadowed by the response of the Chennai public. The Delhi test, of course, belonged to Anil Kumble who re-wrote history(with a little help from one Mr Jayaprakash). The Kolkota test was an absolute complement of the Chennai test, where crowds disrupted the proceedings and the Pakis went on to win in front of an empty Eden Gardens. The test also announced the arrival of one Mr Shoaib Akhtar, who shattered a wall and generated doubts in the little master about his defence.

After this tour, political happenings prevented anymore regular cricket and things got back to normal only in 2004. India paid the Pakis a visit, and the series will be remembered for both the on-field and off-field happenings. A big fan-contingent from India arrived in Pakistan to cheer for the Indians, and the hospitality makes one wonder if these are the same people who fought 3 wars over a turbulent 55 year history.

The cricket, of course, was every bit as tantalizing as its predecessors. India arrived after having a very successful series down under, while the Pakis had just beaten New Zealand away. The confidence of both the teams were sky-high and it was reflected in the very first ODI, where the Pakis came within a hair's breadth of India's imposing total of 348. A nervy final over by Ashish Nehra sealing a win for the Indians. India went on to record a series win in the ODIs, with new stars in Irfan Pathan and Balaji. Images of Sachin plucking the ball out of thin air at the boundary, and Balaji hitting Shoaib for a six and promptly breaking his bat the very next delivery will be etched in people's memory.

Then came the turn of people donning their whites. The test matches begun with India looking for their first ever victory on Pakistani soil. It is said that Dilwale Dulhaniya Le Jaayenge, and in the first test, if the victory were a bride, one Dilliwala made sure India takes her. A superb triple century, India's first ever, by Viru Sehwag, showed the whole world what strength of cow's milk is all about. Ably supported by the master blaster himself, Sehwag took the Paki bowlers to the cleaners and with Pathan and Kumble taking the bowling honors, the victory was comprehensively sealed with India not required to bat again. The Indian batting crumbled in the second test and the Pakis won easily to level the test series. Much was expected of the decider, but unfortunately Pakis ran into a Wall. Shoaib Akhtar was humiliated in front of his home crowd by Dravid, Laxman, Yuvaraj and co, and the Indians once again recorded an innings victory with more than a day to spare. The Indians thus ended a wonderful season, and the Pakis had to go back to the drawing board to chalk out plans for a new season. Miandad faced the axe along with Moin Khan and some others, and Bob Woolmer, the master modern day tactician, took over the reins of Pakistan.

An year hence, the Pakis are in India, battle hardened after a bitter, but not disappointing tour of Australia. Indians were thrashed by the Aussies at home, but have regained their confidence after beating the Proteas and Bangladesh in back-to-back series followed by a 2 month layoff. Political controversies flared and were extinguished. Public weren't sure if the matches would be aired on TV, but that also got resolved. The warm-up game turned out to be a farce, with inclement weather preventing any fruitful practice.

The stage is all set for what promises to be an exciting, thrilling and tantalizing contest!