India and Pakistan will renew their historic cricket rivalry on September 14 in Dubai, with their Asia Cup Group A encounter once again carrying the weight of politics, history and passion on both sides of the border. The build-up to the fixture has been anything but peaceful. A public interest litigation (PIL) has been filed before the Supreme Court of India, urging cancellation of the match in light of national security concerns following the Pahalgam terror attack and subsequent Operation Sindoor. At the same time, BCCI and IPL chairman Arun Dhumal reiterated India’s position that the team will face Pakistan only in multi-nation tournaments. “We are not going to play Pakistan, but we are going to play them in ACC/ICC events. So we will follow what the government says,” Dhumal said at an event. On the field, the rivalry has produced countless moments of drama, none more memorable than the fiery exchange between Aamir Sohail and Venkatesh Prasad in the 1996 World Cup quarter-final in Bengaluru.Watch the iconic moment here Pakistan, chasing 288, had started confidently through Sohail and Saeed Anwar. Sohail raced to a half-century and marked the milestone by hitting Prasad to the boundary. As the ball raced to the fence, he pointed his bat towards the region, taunting the bowler with a “go fetch” gesture. The reply came instantly. Off the very next delivery, Prasad shattered Sohail’s stumps as the left-hander attempted the same stroke. The bowler let his emotions show, appearing to mouth, “Go home, you (expletive) bastard.” That wicket shifted momentum decisively. India, who had posted 287/8 on the back of Navjot Sidhu’s 93 off 115 balls, went on to win by 39 runs after restricting Pakistan to 248/9. Sidhu’s innings earned him the player of the match award. India’s victory sent them into the semifinals, though eventual champions Sri Lanka went on to lift the trophy by beating Australia in the final.
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As the countdown to Dubai continues, India have already flexed their strength with a nine-wicket demolition of hosts UAE, while Pakistan are set to open against Oman on Friday.
