Sanjay Manjrekar recalls the brawls and anti-India slogans in Karachi during the 1989-90 tour of Pakistan

Sanjay Manjrekar, a former Indian cricket player, recalled the 1989 Test match against Pakistan in Karachi. He claimed that an intruder disrupted the match by walking onto the pitch and yelling anti-India slogans. This resulted in a "full-blown scuffle" in the middle of the match, which included captain Kris Srikkanth.

In 1989, the long-standing hostility between India and Pakistan intensified in tandem with an increase in terrorism in Kashmir, which Pakistan financed and enabled.

"It was the afternoon session in Karachi, Pakistan were batting, and I was fielding at mid-on. Suddenly, from behind me, I heard someone muttering something about 'Kashmir' and 'you Indians'. I looked back to see a person in a grey Pathani suit walk past me and head towards the pitch. He had just nonchalantly walked in with a Test match going on," wrote Indian cricketer-turned-commentator Sanjay Manjrekar, recalling his Test debut during India's long tour of Pakistan in 1989-90.

The man, dressed in a Pathani outfit, would then storm the pitch and attack Indian cricket players, including captain Krishnamachari Srikkanth, by tearing his jersey.

"What came next was bizarre. A full-fledged altercation during a Test match! As security hurried to step in, Srikkanth retaliated, ripping his shirt buttons and stopping the game," he continued. 

Manjrekar also disclosed that wicketkeeper Kiran More participated in the altercation in addition to Srikkanth. Adding a humorous twist to the tension, he said, "What's the funniest part? With his pads still on, Kiran More sprang in to protect his captain and began kicking the intruder! "It was like a street brawl on a cricket pitch," he further mentioned.

The incident happened at the National Stadium in Karachi during India's historic 1989 tour of Pakistan, which also happened to be Sachin Tendulkar's maiden Test match. The game ended in a tie despite the exciting moments. Manjrekar's memory illuminates the erratic and intense character of India-Pakistan cricket at the time, when feelings frequently crossed international boundaries.

Stay updated with the latest cricket news, match insights, and exclusive updates at BetBarter and download the BetBarter app to start betting today!