2003 Pakistan game is my second best memory of the World Cup, reveals Sachin Tendulkar

With India all set to cross swords with archrivals Pakistan in their next group stage encounter on Sunday, the build-up for the same is on the rise. The battle between the two is widely reckoned as the clash of the titans with India having an upper hand in ICC tournaments. Saying that the emotions run high when these two teams lock horns would be an understatement. 

Sachin Tendulkar has been a part of five India-Pakistan games in the World Cup and has described the 2003 semi-final against the neighbours as his second best memory of the World Cup apart from winning the title in 2011. 

"The best memory apart from lifting the World Cup has to be the 2003 match against Pakistan in Centurion. The kind of build-up that was there for that match and the way we played and the way we won. Also, the way we celebrated after the game and the way we progressed in the tournament after that was spectacular. Without any doubt, that has to be a special memory," Tendulkar said, reported IANS.

India pulled off a remarkable chase on the back of a fighting 98 from the Master Blaster against an intimidating Pakistani attack. For the fans, it was an unforgettable day as the target looked like a tough nut to crack.  

"The entire country was celebrating and I still remember talking to a number of friends on the phone and all of them making me hear how the firecrackers were bursting. Everyone was celebrating, dancing, jumping... The entire nation was celebrating," he added.