In an IND-PAK contest where pressure usually grinds even the best into caution, Sehwag liberated himself and his team with a whirlwind display
The National Stadium in Karachi buzzed with anticipation as IND-PAK clashed in the Asia Cup group stage on June 26, 2008. PAK, powered by their captain Shoaib Malik’s unbeaten 125 and Younis Khan’s confident 59, posted a formidable 299 for 4 in 50 overs. It was the kind of total designed to test India’s batting nerve, especially under lights in front of a partisan crowd.
But what followed was not a chase-it was a demolition. Virender Sehwag, with his characteristic swagger, tore through PAK’s bowling attack and turned a pressured target into a walkover. India chased down the runs in just 42.1 overs, finishing on 301 for 4, their fastest-ever pursuit of a 300-plus target in ODIs at that point.
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India’s start was shaky. Gautam Gambhir fell early for 9, edging Sohail Tanvir in only the third over. At 18 for 1, PAK sensed an opening. But Sehwag had other ideas. He began cautiously, not opening his account until the fourth over, before flicking Iftikhar Anjum twice to the leg-side fence. That was the spark — the carnage followed.
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By the time he was dismissed for 119 off 95 balls, Sehwag had hit 12 fours and 5 sixes, racing to his century in just 80 deliveries. His strike rate of 125.26 was extraordinary for a chase of such magnitude. He thrived on PAK’s spinners, smashing Shahid Afridi down the ground and even hitting part-timer Salman Butt for consecutive sixes over deep midwicket.
If Sehwag displayed raw power, Suresh Raina brought grace and fluidity. Promoted to No. 3, Raina matched Sehwag stroke for stroke in a fiery partnership. The pair added 198 runs for the second wicket in just 167 balls, at a run rate of 7.12 per over—a speed rarely seen in that era for a target over 300.
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Raina’s innings of 84 from 69 balls, decorated with 10 fours and 3 sixes, earned him the Player of the Match accolade. His commanding play against both pace and spin kept India’s momentum steady. By the time Raina departed, India needed just 90 runs off 23 overs, and the game was effectively secured.
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PAK’s bowling, already weakened by an injury to Umar Gul after just 1.2 overs, looked ineffective. Tanvir conceded 66 runs from his nine overs, Afridi was hammered for 50 off six, and even Malik—unable to bowl after cramps during his innings—left Misbah-ul-Haq scrambling for options. India capitalised mercilessly, finding boundaries in nearly every over.
Despite Malik’s heroics with the bat, PAK’s total of 299 never looked secure once Sehwag and Raina found their rhythm. It was a harsh lesson in how modern batting firepower can overpower even a well-constructed innings.
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That Karachi clash was historic for several reasons. It marked India’s first Asia Cup victory over PAK in nearly 20 years and also saw the first successful chase of 300 or more runs in Asia Cup history.
The run rate of 7.13 throughout the innings remains one of the best in chases exceeding 300 runs. Sehwag's 119 remains one of the most aggressive centuries by an Indian opener in the Asia Cup cricket.
