The CrickBee's Mag

The roots of cricket lay back in the 18th century when British rule took over the subcontinent. Cricket was widely accepted and played by the people of the subcontinent. It became really popular in no time. Australia, the first ever international cricket team, came to the subcontinent in 1935 to play a cricket match against Sindh. Match was played in Karachi and more than 5000 people went to enjoy the game. Sindh cricket team was captained by Gulam Muhammad and Frank Tarrant was the captain of Austrailian national team.

Following independence in 1947, cricket in Pakistan progressed swiftly. Pakistan was given Test match status in a meeting of the Imperial cricket council on July 08,1952 under the recommendations of India. Pakistan played its first ever test match at Delhi in 1952 against India. Abdul Hafeez Kardar was the captain of Pakistan cricket team. Pakistan won their first game but lost their first series by the score of 2-1.

Pakistan cricket team went on to their first ever international tour in 1954. Pakistan team went to England to play a 3 match test series. Pakistan cricket team drew the series against England by 1-1 after the victory at the legendary Ovals cricket ground. Fazal Mehmood Took 12 wickets in that particular match.

Pakistan played its first home series in 1955. The Indian cricket team visited Pakistan for a 5 match test series. First international cricket match at home was played at Bangabandhu National stadium, Dhaka, East Pakistan (Now Bangladesh). The remaining four matches were played in Lahore, Bahawalpur, Karachi and Peshawar. All five matches were drawn.

The rivalry between Pakistan and India has always been most enjoyed by the cricket fans. Whenever Pakistan plays against India, the stadiums are always full. People come to enjoy every bit of this endless rivalry. Pakistan, India, the two giants of cricket have always broken the records of viewership not only in cricket but also in all sports.

Pakistan cricket team became the world champion in 1992 under the captaincy of the legendary cricketer, Imran Khan. Imran Khan came out of retirement as a result of a request made by the Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif. Imran Khan took the team of young and senior players under his responsibility and went to Australia for the cricket world cup competition. Pakistan team had no coach at that time and the appointed captain, Imran Khan, was fulfilling the duties of the head coach as well.

Pakistan cricket team went to the competition with a combination of young and senior players. The squad consists of 18 members divided into three categories, batters, bowlers and all rounders. There were 11 batters, 2 all rounders and 4 bowlers. Moin Khan was the only wicket-keeper for the team, Pakistan.

Cricket world cup 1992 had a great significance as it was different from the previous 4 world cups that were played in white kits with red balls. Coloured kits were introduced for the first time.

Flood lights were used for all the games. Most importantly, white ball was introduced for the first time. Infact, there were two white balls for the innings so that the balls may not become grubby.

All these changes were proposed by Kerry Packer, an Australian media outlet owner and cricket revolutionist.

Cricket world cup’92 was played as a round robin, that is every team plays against all other participants of the competition. It completely contradicted the contemporary methods of the competition. World cup’92 was played from february 22 to march 25, 1992. Pakistan won the world cup final by 22 runs against the favourite England.

Pakistan’s start to the journey of world cup 1992 was a nightmare for the team. Pakistan lost their first match drastically against the mighty West Indies. Facing the lethal giants of cricket, Pakistan scored 220 runs for the loss of 2 wickets in 50 fifty overs against the mighty bowling lineup of black storm. Ramiz Raja scored a century for the country. The target was easily chased down by the openers of the Windies team. Brian Lara won the player of the match award.

In the group stage, Pakistan team won 4 out of 9 matches with 1 match ending in no result. Pakistan and Australia both have won the same number of matches in the group stage that is 4. Pakistan qualified as Pakistan had 1 point more than Australia because Pakistan’s match against England was abandoned due to rain and both teams were awarded 1 point. The Pakistan team was given the name ‘Cornered Tigers’ as their group journey was not as good as other qualifying teams.

In the semi-finals, the Pakistan cricket team faced the hot favourites, New Zealand. The match was played in the jam packed match at Sydney cricket ground. New Zealand while batting first set a huge target of 262 runs for the loss of 6 wickets. It was thought that New Zealand would easily win the match and would qualify for the finals. But, the cornered tigers of Imran Khan fought till the last ball and won it for Pakistan and their people. Pakistan chased down the target in the 49th over. Inzamam-ul-haq played a dashing 60 runs in just 37 balls and took Pakistan home victorious. Inzamam-ul-haq won the man of the match award.

On the other side, England easily won against the South African team and qualified for the finals.

The final between Pakistan and England was played on March 25, 1992 in the historical Melbourne Cricket Ground, Melbourne. The stadium was jam packed with a record attendance of 87 thousand people. Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first.

Imran Khan came out to the toss wearing white t-shirt with a tiger printed on the centre. It was literally a day for Pakistan and Pakistan cricket. Pakistan scored 249 runs in 50 overs and set the target of 250 runs for England. Javed Miandad and Imran Khan added a strong partnership of 139 runs. Imran khan scored a blistering 72 runs and added to the total. Pakistan started their bowling really well and struck early which put England under pressure. Wasim Akram bowled Ian Botham at duck which shook the England batting lineup. England were short of 4 wickets at the score of 69 runs. A solid partnership of 71 runs between Allan Lamb and Neil Fairbrother rescued the stumbling boat of England from drowning early. This tremendous partnership between the two forced Imran khan to call his main pacer Wasim Akram for another bowling spell earlier than usual. This spell wrote the fate for the match. Two Beautiful swinging deliveries from the left hand pacer sent Allan Lamb and Chris Lewis back to pavilion. Soon after, Neil Fairbrother was dismissed by the catch taken by Moin Khan off Aqib Javed to seal England’s fate. Imran Khan had final say when he dismissed Richard Illingworth. Illingworth was caught at mid wicket by Ramiz Raja and Pakistan won the match by 22 runs. Illingworth got out on the second ball of the last over. England scored 227 in 49.2 overs while chasing 250 runs. Pakistan became the champions of world cricket for the first time.