How Wasim Akram’s All-Round Show Led Pakistan To Glory In 1992 Cricket World Cup
THE COUNTDOWN to the ODI World Cup has begun and the excitement among the fans has reached its peak. Over the years, the World Cup has seen many iconic moments on a cricket field.
There have been many unbelievable achievements by players and teams who defied the odds to taste glory. As a build-up to the World Cup 2023, we are starting a new series ‘Flashback’ where we will relish some of the most iconic World Cup moments.
Wasim Akram Stuns England
Pakistan faced England in the final of the 1992 World Cup and scored 249-6 while batting first. Imran Khan (72) and Javed Miandad (58) batted well but it was the 18-ball 33 cameo from Wasim Akram who helped the side to an above-par score.
Pakistan then reduced England to 69-4 but the 74-run partnership between Allan Lamb and Neil Fairbrother put England back on track. However, Wasim Akram returned to bowl one of finest spells and clean bowled Lamb and new batsman Chris Lewis in successive deliveries to quash England’s hopes.
Pakistan’s Road To Glory
Pakistan’s road to the 1992 World Cup final was far from smooth. The team started the tournament with a huge 10-wicket defeat to West Indies before they beat Zimbabwe by 53 runs to revive their campaign. The team was heading towards a crushing defeat to England after being bowled out for a mere 72 but rain forced the match to be called off.
A loss to India had put Pakistan’s campaign in jeopardy and it looked all doom and gloom for the Imran Khan-led side. Things got worse when the team suffered a defeat to South Africa, leaving them with just one win in their first six games.
How Pakistan Made A Comeback
Tides turned in favour of Pakistan when they defeated Sri Lanka and New Zealand in back-to-back games to put a case for the semifinal slot. Australia’s win over West Indies pushed Pakistan into the semis.
Pakistan then pulled off a remarkable run-chase against New Zealand in the semifinal. Chasing a target of 263, Pakistan were 140-4 in the 35th over, needing 123 runs in 95 balls. A young Inzamam ul Haq then turned on the beast mode and smashed 60 from 37 balls to take Pakistan home by four wickets and book a title clash with hosts England.
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