CHENNAI: As Pakistan were preparing for their ICC Cricket World Cup game against Afghanistan at the net areas of Chennai’s Chidambaram Stadium, the outside wall of the net areas displayed one of the most iconic victories of Pakistan cricket team at this venue — an artistic depiction of Pakistan’s victory celebration against India in Chennai.
The walls outside the nets display several moments of the Indian cricket team — and the only non-Indian moment cherished on the wall was Pakistan’s iconic Chennai Test win against India in 1999.
The sketch depicted the moment when Pakistani players took a victory lap around the ground.
In that memorable Chennai Test, the game was once slipping out of the hands of Pakistan before Saqlain Mushtaq took the wicket of century-maker Sachin Tendulkar to help Pakistan win the game by 12 runs.
Chennai’s Chidambaram Stadium has always been a memorable venue for Pakistan and the team has remained undefeated here in 50 overs format.
In 1997, Pakistan defeated India by 35 runs, the match will be remembered for 194 by Saeed Anwar which remained the highest individual ODI score for several years. In 2012, Pakistan defeated India by 6 wickets.
Pakistan has also played 4 Test matches at this venue winning one and drawing two of them.
The players of the Pakistan team are aware of the past records at this venue and Imam-ul-Haq is confident that the team can draw inspiration from the glory Pakistan achieved at this venue in the past and extend their winning streak in Chennai.
It is worth mentioning that Pakistan is currently having a tough time in the World Cup after suffering back-to-back defeats against arch-rivals India and Australia in Ahmedabad and Bengaluru.
The Green Shirts also have two victories to their name but they came against relatively weak sides of the Netherlands and Sri Lanka, with the latter missing a few key players.
And now, the match against Afghanistan is a must-win for the Men in Green because any outcome other than a victory would make things difficult for Babar Azam-led Pakistan in the World Cup.
Faizan Lakhani Faizan Lakhani is Deputy Editor (Sports) at Geo News.
