Thread by @ovshake42

On this day, 1985, India won an unbelievable (in my opinion, at least) match against Pakistan in Sharjah.

First, some background.

India had won the World Cup in 1983.

Two years later, they won the seven-nation World Championship in Australia.

This was probably a bigger win.
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India won every single match there.

Not only that, barring the final (where they took nine wickets), they bowled out the opposition every time.

The Sharjah tournament was a four-nation affair, played in knockout format.

So if you won two matches, you won the tournament.
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India played Pakistan in what can only be called a semi-final.

India had beaten Pakistan twice in that World Championship. They were favourites, according to many.

But Imran thought otherwise.

The first ball jagged back in to hit Shastri on the pad.
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The Champion of Champions fell first ball.

Imran's bouncer then hurried on to Srikkanth. The mistimed hook found the fielder.

Then Vengsarkar leg-glanced Imran straight to wicketkeeper Ashraf.

Gavaskar chased one outside off and was caught behind.

Amarnath was bowled.
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The world champions were 34/5.

Imran had taken all five balls in "a devastating spell of fast, swing bowling." (Gavaskar)

But the wonderkid, Azharuddin, was there.

Now he was joined by Kapil, appointed captain for the tournament.

They added 46. Kapil got a 44-ball 30.
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Binny and Madan Lal did not get runs, but hung around with Azhar, who top-scored with 47.

India were bowled out for 125.

Imran also had Madan Lal, caught brilliantly by Ashraf. He finished with 10-2-14-6, then the joint second best ODI figures.
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At that point, the lowest ODI total defended successfully at that point was 128, but the bowling attack was Roberts, Holding, Garner, and Croft.

This was a Friday. As is norm, the lunch break was long.

Additionally, the Indians had been dismissed half an hour early.
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So there was a 90-minute break. The Indians had a quick meal, went to the dressing-room, and fell asleep.

"As if on command every member lay down and went to sleep. Yes, it sounds funny but that's just what happened." (Kapil)
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"Not only did we wake up feeling refreshed and thinking our dismissal was a bad dream but we were saved of the brooding and worrying had we been awake." (Gavaskar)

Then came Kapil's pep talk: "C'mon, let's make them fight for each run."
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Moshin soon hit one to Amarnath at cover. And ran. And ran. And kept running to the pavilion, for Amarnath's direct throw had found him short.

13/1.

But Mudassar and Rameez settled down. Pakistan reached 35/1.

They were cruising.
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Then Binny got Mudassar to poke at one. Gavaskar took a brilliant diving one-handed catch at first slip.

Kapil got Shastri on early. One of his balls bounced awkwardly, took Miandad's glove, and Gavaskar had his second catch.

Miandad promoted Ashraf ahead of Imran and Malik.
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It did not work. Vengsarkar flung himself to his left at silly point to catch Ashraf off Sivaramakrishnan.

Imran faced three balls before stepping out to Siva. Viswanath removed the bails.

India had been 34/5. Now they had reduced Pakistan to 41/5.
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But the youngsters, Rameez and Malik, ran hard, found the occasional four, but most importantly, hung on.

They added 33.

Finally Malik cut Shastri straight to Gavaskar at slip.

Kapil soon returned for the final blow. He got the big wicket, too.

Rameez, caught by Gavaskar.
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Gavaskar's four ODI catches were a world record by a non-wicketkeeper at that point.

The end came swiftly.

Kapil had Naqqash caught behind.

Elahi lobbed one back to Madan Lal.

And Kapil finished things off by bowling Tauseef.
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Pakistan were bowled out for 87 with over 17 overs left.

The Indians rushed back to the dressing-room to find manager Ramakant Desai laughing and shaking his head uncontrollably.

Miandad and Imran soon arrived to congratulate.
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Australia won the other semi-final by two wickets off the last ball of the match, thanks to some frantic running from Rixon and McCurdy.

In the final, India bowled out Australia for 139 and won comfortably.