ICC World Cup 2003: Venkatesh Prasad’s five-for flattens Pakistan

Hostilities between the two nations over the Kashmir issue meant the match was played in a tense atmosphere, with fears of clashes between supporters of both nations. Mercifully, barring minor incidents, off-field hostilities were under control.

India vs Pakistan, ICC World Cup, Old Trafford, Manchester, June 8, 1999

By CricketCountry Staff

India won by 47 runs

Hostilities between the two nations over the Kashmir issue meant the match was played in a tense atmosphere, with fears of clashes between supporters of both nations. Mercifully, barring minor incidents, off-field hostilities were under control.
The match kicked off under overcast conditions, Security was beefed up and but there was no let up in the intensity of flag-waving, whistle-blowing and drum-beating among the fans. Amidst this background, Indian skipper Mohammed Azharuddin called correctly and opted to bat.

Azharuddin may not have been entirely satisfied with the score of 227 for six but then, one has to understand that India might have struggled to reach there had it not for his feisty half-century. He received solid support from Rahul Dravid, who held the innings.

As India walked out to defend a modest score of 227, India found the man of the hour in Venkatesh Prasad. As the sun tore through the clouds, Prasad came in first change and ripped the heart out of the Pakistan innings with a probing spell of seam bowling. The lanky seamer caught Salim Malik at the crease with one that kept low to have Pakistan wobbling at 52 for 3. This was the kind of start India needed and they got it to put the pressure right on Pakistan.

Prasad grabbed the biggest scalp of the match when he induced the free-flowing Saeed Anwar to dangle at one that was moving away to be snapped up by a tumbling Azhar in the slip. Anwar’s was a prized wicket, for not only he has been India’s nemesis on many occasions in the past but he also looked menacing enough to take the attack to the opposition.

Moin Khan tried to break the stranglehold Prasad was having over Pakistan with a nice cameo. He thumped a six off Prasad over mid-wicket, but the bowler had the last laugh in the same over when he enticed Moin to pull one to deep fine-leg Sachin Tendulkar as Pakistan seemed like losing the plot at 124 for six.

Prasad deepened the Pakistani crisis when he trapped Inzamam-ul Haq in front when he tried to work one on the on-side. His painstaking 41 off 93 balls only aggravated the Pakistan chase as their innings didn’t feature any partnerships of substance.

And it was left to Prasad to bring an end to the Pakistan misery when he had skipper Wasim Akram caught in the deep by Anil Kumble to help India romp home by 47 runs. It was India’s third straight win over Pakistan in World Cups.

Kumble had barely completed the catch when frenzied fans invaded the ground prompting the players to scurry to the dressing room.
Prasad’s five for 27 deservedly won him the Man of the Match Award.