Venkatesh Prasad vs Aamer Sohail — Bangalore 1996 World Cup QF

Wasim Akram had pulled out of the Pakistan team with a side injury — controversially, since some Pakistani fans believed he had ducked the match. Aamer Sohail captained in his place. India had won the toss and batted; Sidhu's 93 underpinned a strong total.

Pakistan's chase had begun in style — 84 runs from the first 10 overs of Manoj Prabhakar and Javagal Srinath. Saeed Anwar fell for 48. Sohail was on 55 off 46 when he took on Prasad in the 15th over.

India batted first and made 287 for 8 with Navjot Singh Sidhu top-scoring 93 off 115 and Ajay Jadeja smashing 45 off 25 at the death (including 22 off the final over from Waqar Younis). Pakistan, chasing 288 in a high-stakes knockout, raced to 84 in the first 10 overs through Saeed Anwar (48) and Aamer Sohail. Anwar fell. Sohail then took on the medium-pacer Venkatesh Prasad. He danced down and cut him over cover for four, then turned to Prasad, pointed his bat at the region he had hit and gestured in his face. Prasad ran in next ball — fuller, straighter, with extra zip. Sohail shaped to repeat the cut; the off stump went cartwheeling. Prasad's reaction — a raised finger, an animated wave at Sohail to leave the field, a roar — sent the Bangalore crowd into delirium. Pakistan collapsed from 113 for 2 to 248 all out (Prasad 3/45, Kumble 3/48). India won by 39 runs.

“He shouldn't have done what he did. I just bowled the next ball — that was the answer.”

“I let my emotions take over. It was a foolish thing to do. I learned a hard lesson.”

Prasad became a national hero overnight; Sohail was vilified in Pakistan for triggering the moment that turned the match. The two never played a Test against each other again. Aamer Sohail later admitted the gesture was 'foolish' and that 'I let my emotions take over'.