India, Pakistan Step Up Rivalry In Historic 1989 US Matches

In 1989, India and Pakistan played three groundbreaking exhibition cricket matches in the U.S., sparking controversy but paving the way for the sport's growth in North America amidst the rising South Asian diaspora.

This was a historic series for cricket in the Americas, when India and Pakistan first played each other in a three-match series of warm-up games in the United States and Canada in May 1989. The contests saw the two rivals come to American soil for the first time with the region’s growing South Asian communities being enthralled by the competition.

The first match was played on May 19th at the Downing Stadium in New York City this was when 15, 000 people thronged at the stadium at Randall’s Island. Even though it was just an exhibition match, the passion displayed was as if it was a regular showcase match with fans waving flags, drumming, and in the process of invading the pitch.

Having seen how Pakistan, led by their charismatic all-rounder Imran Khan, batted first to a total of 162. However, India led by Dilip Vengsarkar managed to only get the required run in 44 overs and more so, Vengsarkar, hitting the winning six off Mushtaq Ahmed three balls remaining.

The two sides then moved to Toronto where another stellar display by Khan with a 91 not out took Pakistan home against a target of 222 at the venue of the Blue Jays baseball team. The third match in Los Angeles confirmed Pakistan on the top of the North American Cup and the team won by a four-wicket margin.

Even if they are a rather small event for two countries that are so passionate about cricket, the U. S. matches were a good starting point for making cricket more popular in North America amid increasing numbers of South Asian immigrants.  

However, these matches raised a lot of controversy back in India in the early years. The players, who were paid $2,000 each, were suspended for a year by the BCCI for participating in the tour without its permission. The bans were protests and a court case and they were eventually lifted.

Also Read: High ticket prices for India-Pakistan T20 world cup in New York

Some thirty years later, the India-Pakistan cricketing confrontation is one of the most well-known and passionately awaited in the world. On Sunday, they will renew the animosity at the modern 32,000-seater cricket ground in New York, an indication of how cricket is establishing a base in the Americas.