The cricket matches between arch-rivals India and Pakistan have always been intense and enthralling to watch. Players from both sides wear their heart on their sleeve, emotions always run high and the massive crowd makes the games even more special.
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The high-voltage encounters have also witnessed many confrontations over the years and the one between Inzamam-ul-Haq’s and a spectator still remains vivid in fans’ memories.
It all happened during a 1997 Sahara Cup match in Toronto when Inzamam entered into the crowd and got into a scuffle with a spectator of Indian origin.
Speaking on The Greatest Rivalry podcast, former Pakistan fast bowler Waqar Younis recently recalled that incident and revealed that there was more to the infamous story than Inzamam getting riled up for being called “aaloo” (potato).
As per Waqar, the spectator was passing inappropriate comments towards former India skipper Mohammed Azharuddin’s wife and it is something that infuriated Inzamam as he grabbed a bat and went after him.
“Yes, there was someone calling him ‘aaloo’. But also, what exactly happened [was that] there was someone in the crowd who was not very good to Azharuddin’s wife – I think they were just talking some rubbish – and Inzi being Inzi, he didn’t really like it. And as I was mentioning, the friendship off the field between these two teams’ players was outstanding, it was amazing, they had a lot of respect for each other,” Waqar said.
He further narrated that Inzamam, who used to field in the slip cordon, had been paying attention to the chants and asked permission to change his fielding position. Things escalated when he asked the 12th man to bring a bat.
“You know we used to play hard on the field, but when it comes to the friendship, we used to really look out for each-others’ back,” Waqar said.
“And what happened [was] because someone was really being rude to Azza’s wife and Inzi just, I don’t know what happened to be very honest, he just decided, he asked, I think Saleem Malik was captain [Ramiz Raja was the Pakistan skipper], he asked Saleem to move him to that fine-leg third-man region, and that’s where he went. And he just asked for the 12th man to bring the bat, and he just gave it to him, and he just ran up the stairs in the scaffolding and brought it down.”
After the incident, Inzamam was handed ban for two ODIs but Waqar revealed the biggest takeaway from the episode was how India and Pakistan’s players had each other’s back despite the fierce on-field rivalry.
“Inzi had to suffer, Inzi had to apologise and they went to court for that particular incident and Azhar had to come out, which was very nice of Azharuddin, who had to come out and talk to that Indian guy, the guy was Indian I think, and talk to him and sort out that issue out of the court,” the legendary speedster said.
“It was sad and it was ugly what happened, but what I’m trying to say here, is you know when it comes to watching each other’s back, both teams have people or players who really love each other’s company.”
