The 2003 World Cup match between India and Pakistan remains memorable thanks to Sachin Tendulkar’s epic 98-run knock, which helped India chase down 274-run target with six wickets in hand at Centurion on March 1.
Pakistan had batted first and posted 273/7 thanks to Saeed Anwar’s 101 and contributions from Younis Khan (32) and Rashid Latif (29*) took Pakistan to 273/7 in 50 overs. For India, Zaheer Khan and Ashish Nehra picked two wickets each.
In reply, India started aggressively with Virender Sehwag cutting Waqar Younis for a six over third man and then Sachin Tendulkar hammering Shoaib Akhtar for 18 runs in an over, including that picturesque cut shot six over point.
Sehwag was unfortunately dismissed for 21 runs. Tendulkar, on the other hand was playing one of his all-time great knocks against the likes of Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar, Wasim Akram, Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq.
The great man suffered from cramps as he neared his century and had to ask for a runner. Virender Sehwag came out to run for Tendulkar and recalled Shahid Afridi abusing Tendulkar to distract him, as the match was in an interesting position.
“We knew it was an important game. But Tendulkar was so experienced, he had played so many games against Pakistan.. he knew that he need to be prepared for it. If I have to consider his World Cup knocks, it was his best. I also came to run for him during the game because he was having cramps, and Pakistan's Shahid Afridi was abusing him a lot, kept saying something or the other. But he remained focused. He knew it was important for him to stay at the crease. He usually doesn't take a runner, but still he knew that if I come, I will run like he does. There won't be any misunderstanding," Sehwag said in a video posted by Star Sports.
Tendulkar unfortunately fell for 98 runs in 75 balls with 12 fours and 1 six to his name. Later, Rahul Dravid (44*) and Yuvraj Singh (50*) added 99* runs for the 5th wicket to take India home in the 46th over and win the match by 6 wickets.
