This day that year: Saeed Anwar’s 194 eclipses Rahul Dravid’s maiden ODI century

Pakistan opener Saeed Anwar sent the hapless Indian bowling attack on a leather hunt during his 194 runs knock, a record that stood for 13 years.

This day exactly 24 years ago, Pakistan opener Saeed Anwar scored a scintillating 194 off 146 balls against their arch-rivals India in the final of the Independence Cup at the MA Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai. On a hot Chennai afternoon, Pakistan skipper Ramiz Raza won the toss and elected to bat. India made early inroads as Abey Kuruvilla removed youngster Shahid Afridi (5) cheaply. However, the day belonged to Saeed Anwar, a dasher-who-didn’t feel-like-one, and the double-century was on. What a shame that he didn’t get it when, with more than three overs left in the innings, he was caught off the top edge sweeping Sachin Tendulkar, who would go on to get that record just under 13 years later.