The most historic moment in Pakistan cricket, when Imran Khan’s cornered tigers overcame all odds to win the first-ever ODI World Cup trophy for their nation, has been brought back to mind by Pakistan’s unpredictable performance in the T20 World Cup in Australia.
Pakistan will be attempting to repeat their 1992 Melbourne Cricket Ground victory over England in the World Cup, when they came from nowhere to defeat England in the final of the 50-over competition, beat New Zealand in the semifinal, and qualified for the playoffs by one point following a washout.
There are more uncanny parallels between Pakistan’s journey to the World Cup final in 1992 and the Twenty20.
Previous World Cup semifinal loss to Australia
Australia defeated Pakistan by 18 runs in the semi-final of the 1987 World Cup, which took place at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore, Pakistan, prior to the 1992 World Cup.
Similar to how Australia defeated Pakistan by five wickets in the semi-final of the 2021 T20 World Cup, Pakistan had to accept defeat before the tournament’s 2022 edition.
Defeated in the tournament’s opening games on the same field
West Indies defeated the Green Shirts by 10 wickets in Pakistan’s opening match against them at the 1992 World Cup, which was played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG).
India also defeated the Pakistani team at Melbourne Cricket Ground in the opening game of the T20 World Cup 2022. (MCG).
Rain rescues
In 1992, rain intervened in Pakistan’s third match of the competition against England, which appeared to spell the end for the team. Both teams received one point each as the game came to an end. Pakistan advanced to the semifinals by surpassing Australia in the table thanks to this. Although it had no direct impact on Pakistan’s games this year, the rain did improve the team’s standing at the end of the table. The match between South Africa and Zimbabwe was cancelled when the skies opened up during play.
India Won
In the 1992 World Cup at the Sydney Cricket Ground, India defeated Pakistan by 43 runs; similarly, in 2022, India defeated Pakistan by 4 wickets.
Three victories in a row
The Pakistani team’s three straight victories in the Super 12 stage are another similarity between the two World Cups so far.
Defeating New Zealand in the semifinals
In 1992, New Zealand was the team with the most points and faced Pakistan in the semifinals, where their impressive run came to an end.
New Zealand won their group in 2022 as well, and they faced Pakistan, the group’s runner-up, in the semifinals. Pakistan defeated New Zealand to advance to the championship match.
The Bowlers
Up until the final in both years, Pakistan’s leading wicket-takers were a left-arm pacer and a leg-spinner.
Wasim Akram and Mushtaq Ahmed were captains in 1992. This year’s honorees are Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shadab Khan.
Pakistan vs England
In 1992, Pakistan defeated England in the final and went on to win the tournament.
Pakistan will face England in the final, as they did in the 1992 World Cup, at the same venue, Melbourne Cricket Ground.
With so many similarities already in place, history is likely to repeat itself and Pakistan will win the World Cup once Again.
