Srikkanth, Shastri conquer the MCG
World Championship of Cricket, 1985 | Melbourne
The hype was massive — India vs Pakistan in front of 50,000 fans at the MCG. But the final turned one-sided. Pakistan crawled to 176 for 9, Javed Miandad (48) and Imran Khan (35) offering the only resistance, as Kapil Dev and Laxman Sivaramakrishnan took three wickets each.
India’s chase was emphatic. Kris Srikkanth smashed 67, Ravi Shastri anchored with 63*, and their 103-run stand sealed an eight-wicket win. Shastri bagged the Champion of Champions title — and an Audi — as India, two years after the 1983 World Cup, were crowned the best ODI side in the world.
Miandad and the last-ball six
Austral-Asia Cup, 1986 | Sharjah
If 1985 was smooth sailing for India, the 1986 Sharjah final was unforgettable heartbreak. Sunil Gavaskar (92), Dilip Vengsarkar (50), and Srikkanth (75) powered India to 245 for 7, before Wasim Akram pegged them back with 3 for 42.
Chasing, Pakistan wavered but Miandad stood tall, crafting an unbeaten 116. With four needed off the final ball, Chetan Sharma’s attempted yorker turned into a low full toss — and Miandad launched it for six over midwicket. That single swing gave Pakistan a mental edge that lingered for years.
Sohail and Anwar dismantle India
Austral-Asia Cup, 1994 | Sharjah
By the mid-90s, Pakistan’s top order was formidable. Saeed Anwar (47) and Aamer Sohail (69) added 96 to set the tone, with Basit Ali (58) lifting them to 250.
India’s reply faltered. Tendulkar and Sidhu briefly countered with a 59-run stand, but regular wickets derailed the chase. Vinod Kambli and debutant Atul Bedade (44 off 45) fought back, but Pakistan closed it out comfortably. Sohail’s all-round show (69, 2 wickets, 2 catches) earned him player of the match.
Heartbreak for Misbah, joy for Dhoni
ICC World T20 Final, 2007 | Johannesburg
The Wanderers hosted a dream finale — the first T20 World Cup. Gautam Gambhir’s 75 and a cameo from young Rohit Sharma (30* off 16) carried India to 157. Umar Gul kept the score in check with 3 for 28.
Pakistan’s chase swung wildly. RP Singh (3/26) and Irfan Pathan (3/16) made dents, but Misbah-ul-Haq (43) dragged the game to the final over. With 13 needed off six, Dhoni handed the ball to Joginder Sharma. After a wide and a six, Misbah miscued a scoop, caught by Sreesanth at short fine leg. India won by five runs, sparking a T20 revolution.
Fakhar, Amir own The Oval
ICC Champions Trophy Final, 2017 | London
Ranked lowest in the tournament and crushed by India earlier, Pakistan turned up at The Oval with a flawless display. Fakhar Zaman, reprieved early by a Bumrah no-ball, blasted 114. Azhar Ali (59) and Hafeez (57* off 37) pushed Pakistan to 338 for 4.
Mohammad Amir then delivered one of the great new-ball spells, removing Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli, and Shikhar Dhawan in his six-over burst. Hardik Pandya’s fearless 76 off 43 gave India faint hope, but his run-out ended the fight. India were bundled out for 158, giving Pakistan a thumping 180-run win — the biggest margin ever in an ICC men’s tournament final.
