On This Day in 2003: WATCH Tendulkar's Epic Six Against Akhtar in Cricket World Cup

The SuperSport Park in Centurion, South Africa witnessed a memorable knock on March 1, 2003, as Sachin Tendulkar guided India to a historic victory against arch-rivals Pakistan. The all-time leading run scorer in international cricket, Sachin lived up to his reputation in that World Cup fixture as he smashed 98 runs off 75 balls to seal a six-wicket win.

Ahead of this fixture, the Indian cricket team had already beaten their Asian counterparts in previous World Cup encounters in 1992, 1996 and 1999. Pakistan were determined to win their fourth clash in the history of the tournament but the Master Blaster proved to be an unbreakable wall on the day.

India entered the 2003 World Cup as one of the favourites under the leadership of Sourav Ganguly. India won the toss and elected to bowl first against Pakistan. Saeed Anwar was brilliant on the day as he smashed 101 runs for Pakistan before being bowled out by Ashish Nehra. A couple of supporting knocks from Younis Khan and Rashid Latif were enough to help Pakistan put up a solid total of 273 runs on the board. Zaheer Khan and Nehra were the most effective on the bowling front for India as the duo scalped four wickets in total.

Despite boasting a fearsome pace bowling attack, comprising the likes of captain Wasim Akram, Shoaib Akhtar and Waqar Younis back then, Pakistan could not fend off the wrath of Sachin Tendulkar on that day.

Opening with his partner Virender Sehwag, the Master Blaster exhibited his class from the very beginning. He slammed Akram’s third ball for a boundary.

In the next over bowled by Akhtar, he hit the fourth delivery over third man for a six. He then cut the fastest bowler in the world for two more boundaries. Sehwag was in his usual attacking mood as he put up 21 runs in 14 balls before losing his wicket to Younis.

Sachin Tendulkar continued his rampage as he stitched together a 102-run partnership with Mohammed Kaif while surpassing the 12,000-run landmark in ODIs. He smashed 12 boundaries in the game and a six that helped set the momentum for India.

Having scored 98 runs, the Master Blaster lost his wicket to Shoaib Akhtar in the 28th over. After his departure, Rahul Dravid and Yuvraj Singh took up the responsibility of delivering the game for India. The duo put up a 99-run stand to secure a six-wicket win for India with 26 balls remaining.

India won their fourth World Cup game on the trot against Pakistan and Sachin Tendulkar proved to be the game-changing factor on that day.