India vs Pakistan in Asia Cup: A history of the intense rivalry
In 11 games they have played against each other until now, both have won five each with one remaining inconclusive.
2004: India play ‘Test’ to get bonus point while Pakistan win by 59 runs
This edition of Asia Cup had a bizarre rule and that was about winning a bonus point, even by teams that lost the match, provided they finished with a gap of less than 60 runs. India made full use of this rule in their game against Pakistan at the R Premadasa Stadium in Colombo. Riding Shoaib Malik’s magnificent 143, Pakistan scored 300 for 9 in their 50 overs after captain Inzamam-ul-Haq won the toss and elected to bat first.
Tendulkar was the best of the Indian bowlers, taking 3 wickets for 28 runs. India had a good chase till Ganguly got bowled and after losing their 5th wicket at 151, India shifted their gears and played for the target of 241 to secure the bonus point. They played a survival game in the ODI to score 241 for 8 and got that one point which later proved to be crucial to take them into the final. Malik took 2 wickets and was declared the man of the match. The then Pakistan coach Bob Woolmar was critical of the bonus-point rule.
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