Javed Miandad slams last-ball six against India in Sharjah on April 18, 1986; watch video

April 18, 1986 may t be remembered as an iconic date in Indian cricket history, but it certainly remains one for archrivals Pakistan. Kapil Dev's world champion Indian team took on Imran Khan's Pakistan in final of Austral-Asia Cup in Sharjah, UAE on that day. It was one of most thrilling India-Pakistan matches of all time, that went right down to wire.

It is more famously remembered for Pakistani batting great Javed Miandad striking a rare last-ball six to ensure a nail-biting victory for his country. On game's 34th anniversary, here is what transpired during match.

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Javed Miandad last ball six: Pakistan asked to chase down 245 by India

Pakistan won toss at Sharjah and elected to field first. India set a target of 245 runs for a loss of 7 wickets in 50-over game. In those days, 245 was an extremely competitive total since ODI cricket was just 15 years old, as format made its debut in 1971.

Sunil Gavaskar and K Srikkanth were instrumental in leading India's charge by scoring 92 and 75 respectively. Wasim Akram and captain Imran Khan were vital for Pakistan as former bagged three wickets, while latter picked up two wickets in final. 

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Javed Miandad last ball six: Chetan Sharma emerges onto scene

Pakistan's attempt to chase 246-run target suffered a massive blow as y lost ir first wicket in form of Mudassar Nazar, courtesy of Chetan Sharma for 9 runs only. Pakistan were up for an uphill task of chasing total with Chetan Sharma bagging one more wicket, which was Manzur Elahi. Pakistan had mand 215 runs with a loss of seven wickets.

Javed Miandad last ball six: Chetan Sharma in place of Kapil Dev

Javed Miandad rescued Pakistan when y needed him most. Despite wickets falling, on or hand, he kept his calm and mand to hit a century. Pakistan needed 11 runs in final over. last over was ideally to be bowled by Kapil Dev. However, Dev had opted to complete his quota. As a result,  inexperienced Chetan Sharma was given responsibility bowl final over of match.

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Javed Miandad last ball six: Wasim Akram run-out in final over

t many would have predicted Pakistan to score 11 runs required, since scoring so many runs in last over of a game in a run chase was a velty back n. But over was quite eventful, as Chetan Sharma's first ball led to a run-out sending Wasim Akram back to pavilion, followed by a boundary on second ball. A boundary was saved off third ball, while a Zulqarnain run-out pressurised Pakistani side. 

Javed Miandad last ball six ensures Pakistan victory

India could have finished off game, albeit an easy miss in form of a fifth-ball run-out. It was all up to Javed Miandad, as Kapil Dev's side looked to ensure y didn't allow a boundary on final ball. Chetan Sharma attempted a yorker, however, execution turned out to be poor. ball ended in a full toss with Javed Miandad hitting it for a huge six, as he ran pitch celebrating Pakistan's victory wildly, an im which many cricket fans in country remember till date.

Ironically, it was on April 18, 2008 itself that league which celebrates sixes most today, Indian Premier League (IPL) made its debut in Bengaluru 34 years later on this day. Miandad's last ball six was perhaps precursor for batsmen around world such as MS Dhoni achieving this feat repeatedly in years to come, t making it a rarity anymore.

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