India beat Pakistan by 29 runs in the 2011 World Cup semi-final at Mohali — the most watched cricket match in history, televised to an estimated 988 million viewers globally, with both Prime Ministers watching from the same stand.
India made 260/9, anchored by Sachin Tendulkar's 85. Pakistan chased, with Misbah and Hafeez building partnerships. With 10 overs remaining, Pakistan needed 80 with 5 wickets standing. It was closer than the final margin suggested.
Pakistan had been 21 overs without a wicket at one stage — the run rate under control. Then Harbhajan Singh's offspin broke the partnership, Zaheer Khan's reverse swing broke the middle order, and Ashwin dismissed Misbah to effectively seal the match.
Pakistan were bowled out for 231, 29 runs short. India celebrated — Sachin Tendulkar later said it was the innings he most wanted to play well, knowing India vs Pakistan in a World Cup semi-final might not come again in his career.
The audience figures — 988 million globally — made it the most watched cricket match since the sport's telecasting began.
Sachin's 85 — the innings the crowd came to see
Pakistan 160/4 — match in balance with 10 overs left
Zaheer and Harbhajan's dismissals — Pakistan 231 all out, India win by 29
March 30, 2011
World Cup semi-final, Mohali
India innings
Sachin 85 — India 260/9
Pakistan chase
Close at 160/4 — then wickets fall
Pakistan 231 all out
India win by 29 runs — 988 million watching
Cricket's highest-viewed match — not because it produced the most dramatic finish (it didn't) but because of what it meant. India vs Pakistan in a World Cup knockout carries a weight no other sporting contest outside the sport can replicate.
Australia vs West Indies
1960-12-14
The first tied Test in 86 years of cricket history — Australia and West Indies finished level on 737 runs each after five days of breathless cricket in Brisbane, producing one of the most dramatic finishes the game has ever seen.
India vs Australia
1986-09-22
Twenty-six years after Brisbane, cricket produced only its second tied Test — Dean Jones's heroic 210 through crippling heat and Dean Jones's fever, Ravi Shastri's unbeaten 48 and India needing 2 off the last over, only for Maninder Singh to be out lbw off the final ball.
Australia vs South Africa
1999-06-17
Lance Klusener smashed Australia to the brink of elimination, then ran out Allan Donald off the penultimate ball to tie the match — but Australia advanced to the final on superior run rate, ending South Africa's greatest World Cup campaign in devastating fashion.