January 18, 1998 was a memorable day for the Indian cricket team.
It was the day that India successfully chased down 315 in 48 overs in the third final of the Independence Cup against Pakistan to lift the trophy.
Batting first, Pakistan posted 314-5 thanks to centuries from Saeed Anwar and Ijaz Ahmed. Not many gave India much of a chance as such totals were uncommon in those days.
A 26-ball 41 from Sachin Tendulkar gave the Indians hope, and with Sourav Ganguly and Robin Singh adding a 179-run partnership for the second wicket, it looked like India were in the driver’s seat.
But a middle-order collapse, a regular occurrence for India in the ’90s, saw Pakistan regain control.
Saqlain Mushtaq was given the responsibility of bowling the final over and India found an unlikely hero as Hrishikesh Kanitkar smashed a boundary when three runs were needed from two deliveries.
Ganguly was named the Man of the Match for his superb 124, which included 11 fours and one six.
