Why is Sachin’s 143-run knock against Australia in Sharjah called desert storm?

Ask any 1990’s cricket enthusiast, he will tell you exactly what happened on 22 April, 1998. The master blaster Sachin Tendulkar played one of the most memorable innings of his career. He scored 143 runs off 131 balls against Australia in Sharjah to ensure India’s place in the final.

The innings is called “desert storm” because it came when the temperature at Sharjah was soaring around 41 degree Celsius and the match was interrupted by a sandstorm for around 25 minutes and aftermath, Tendulkar’s went on complete rampage against strong Australia bowling line-up and his blistering knock became desert storm.

During his 143-run knock, he smashed 9 fours and 5 huge sixes. However, India fell 26 runs short of victory but Tendulkar's inning helped India beyond the required 237 runs to edging New Zealand to qualify for the final match.

The tournament is best known for Sachin Tendulkar's back to back centuries against Australia (popularly known as 'Desert Storm') - the first helped India qualify for the final based on a better net run rate, and the second, in the finals which was played on Tendulkar's 25th birthday, helped India beat Australia to win