OTD | Australia defeated Pakistan to lift their 2nd ODI World Cup title in 1999

On this day, back in 1999, the Australian cricket team won their second ODI title as they went on to outclass the Pakistan team in the final game, which was played on June 20 at the iconic Lords Cricket Stadium. Following the same, the side lifted the title in 2003, 2007, 2015, and 2023. Australia are currently the defending champions of the ODI World Cup as they defeat a strong Indian side in the final game to win their sixth marquee title and become one of the most successful teams in the history of international cricket.

Speaking about the game here, it was Pakistan’s skipper, Wasim Akram, who won the toss and invited Australia to bowl first in the game. Notably, after being opted to bat first, they had an awful start in the game as star opening batter Saeed Anwar departed for 15 runs while Wasti could only make just one run. Following them, Abdul Razzaq was outclassed for 17 runs, and Ijaz Ahmed made 22 runs. In addition, Inzamam-ul-Haq hammered 15 runs while Moin Khan was out for 6 runs.

However, all-rounder Shahid Afridi scored 13 runs, while Azhar Mahmood and Wasim Akram could only manage to get eight runs each in the game, which bundled them out for just 132 runs in the showdown of the marquee event. Shane Warne was the star of the game, as he picked up four wickets in the crucial clash and dismantled Pakistan’s batting line-up. Tom Moody and Glenn McGrath also scalped two wickets each.

However, during the chase, Mark Waugh made an unbeaten 37 runs from 52 balls featuring four boundaries, while wicketkeeper batter Adam Gilchrist made 54 runs from 36 balls from eight boundaries and one six. In addition, Ricky Ponting made 24 runs from 27 balls, featuring three sixes, while Darren Lehmann made an unbeaten 13 runs from nine balls to help his side chase down the total with 179 balls to spare.

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