On This Day in 2008: Virender Sehwag’s aggressive century leads India’s victory over Pakistan
The India-Pakistan rivalry is arguably the most anticipated cricketing rivalry with players of both sides giving their best on the field. It was no different when the arch-rivals locked horns in a high-octane Asia Cup 2008 match that saw India come out on top in a high-scoring thriller.While Shoaib Malik scored an excellent century, his efforts were completely overshadowed by Virender Sehwag’s whirlwind ton on this very day 14 years ago. Meanwhile, pacer Umar Gul also had to leave the field in between due to an injury.
When Virender Sehwag’s century decimated Pakistan
Pakistan hosted India in the Group B match of the Asia Cup 2008 at the National Stadium in Karachi. The home skipper Shoaib Malik won the toss and elected to bat first. He along with Salman Butt added 90 runs for the opening stand and even after the southpaw’s dismissal, the Men in Green kept on taking the Indian bowlers to the cleaners on a very good batting surface.
Malik was involved in some big partnerships as well as he registered a well-deserved ton before being forced to retire hurt at a 119-ball 125. The Pakistan batting ran out of fire and brimstone from thereon and finishing touches from Misbah-ul-Haq (31*) helped the hosts post a stiff total of 299/4 on the board.
The target was difficult but not impossible and Virender Sehwag made a mockery of the Pakistani bowlers right from the word ‘go’ with his outstanding pyrotechnics at the National Stadium. He got a good company from young sensation Suresh Raina as the duo made the opposition bowlers look totally clueless.
Both pacers and spinners were deployed, but none of them could do anything to stop Sehwag’s onslaught as he brought up an epic century. The 198-run second-wicket stand between Sehwag and Raina inched India closer to the target.
Even after the southpaw’s dismissal for a brilliant 84 runs off 69 deliveries, Sehwag continued tried his level best to finish things off in style, but that was not to be as he was sent back to the pavilion by Shahid Afridi for a 95-ball 119.
India still had a task at hand after the power-hitter’s dismissal, but the middle-order duo of Yuvraj Singh (48) and captain MS Dhoni (26*) finished off the proceedings as the Men in Blue came out on top by six wickets with 47 balls to spare.
Even though it was Sehwag’s entertaining century that made the difference to the outcome of the contest, it was Raina who was adjudged the Player of the Match award for his vital 84 and two catches that he had taken in the first innings.
