Even in their World Cup triumph of 1992, Pakistan failed to beat India. So, when the two teams came face to face four years later in the 1996 World Cup, the men in green were eager to settle scores. A victory would not only give Pakistan their first World cup victory against India but also secure its place in the semi-finals of the tournament.

So what happened on March 9, 1996, when the two star-studded teams took on each other at Bengaluru’s Chinnaswamy Stadium?

With the toss going in his favour, Indian skipper Mohammad Azharuddin did not even blink before opting to bat first. Eyeing a big first inning total, the Indian openers Sachin Tendulkar and Navjot Sidhu took India off to a slow but stable start.

Facing the fierce Pakistan pace lineup, the duo put up a 90-run opening stand before Sachin Tendulkar was cleaned up by Ata-ur-Rehman in the 22nd over. Batting at number three, Sanjay Manjrekar stitched a partnership of 48 runs before he was also sent back to the pavilion. Meanwhile, Sidhu held the Indian innings together from one end and was cruising his way to a well-deserved hundred. But before Sidhu could add a century to his name, Mushtaq Ahmed packed him back to pavilions at the score of 93.