On a ground where their dominance has become almost ritualistic, Pakistan once again proved too clinical, too composed, and far too superior for a stuttering Indian side that imploded under pressure. A magical first over from Wasim Akram—wicketless till this game—was the spark, and the flame of Indian resistance never truly caught on. Pakistan completed a thumping victory, chasing down a modest target of 126 with 132 balls to spare, clinching their tenth title at Sharjah in the process.
The Fiery Wasim Akram
India’s innings was over before it ever found rhythm. Inserted under the floodlights, they began with trepidation and never recovered from Wasim Akram’s opening burst. After a quiet first two deliveries, the maestro produced two balls that would’ve dismissed far better batsmen than Sadagoppan Ramesh and Rahul Dravid. Ramesh nicked off to a sharp outswinger; Dravid, India’s batting fulcrum, was trapped in front by one that tailed in late. It was fast bowling at its poetic best—late movement, precise lengths, and the kind of control that only Akram could summon in such conditions.
From there, the innings unravelled like a fraying thread. Ganguly, standing tall at one end, scratched out a 50 that was more of a trench battle than fluent artistry. He faced 83 deliveries, struck just three boundaries, and spent much of his stay watching partners depart in haste or confusion. Three batsmen were run out—products of poor calling and panic rather than pressure—marking this as one of India’s most amateurish batting displays in recent memory.
India’s final score—125 all out in 45 overs—was a testament to their disarray. This wasn’t so much a collapse as it was a surrender, a team caught between fear and miscalculation.
Pakistan’s chase was the polar opposite—calm, professional, and ruthless. Shahid Afridi gave them a customary early jolt with a quick cameo, but it was Inzamam-ul-Haq who provided the spine of the chase. His unbeaten 39 off 38 balls reflected the ease with which Pakistan approached the target. There was no need for aggression—just accumulation and control.
Ajit Agarkar, who had promised much at the start of his international career, endured a brutal outing. His five overs went for 51, sprayed with inconsistency and punished accordingly. He struggled to find a length and never once looked like troubling the Pakistani batters. The contrast with Wasim was stark—one bowler announcing himself with thunder, the other disappearing with a whimper.
For Pakistan, the win reinforced their command over subcontinental showdowns in Sharjah—a venue that often feels like a second home. For India, it was a match that once again raised uncomfortable questions about temperament, planning, and the ability to handle pressure in high-stakes encounters.
As Wasim Akram led his team off the field, ball in hand and smile intact, there was a sense of symmetry—Sharjah, the scene of so many Pakistani triumphs, had once again danced to his tune.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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