OTD| Pakistan booked a birth in World Cup Final with a comfortable nine-wicket win over New Zealand in 1999

Pakistan are one of the six teams to have won the elusive ODI World Cup at least once. Their triumphant outing was in the 1992 tournament, under the leadership of Imran Khan. Pakistan’s second most successful campaign in the 50-over World Cup was in the 1999 edition when they reached the final – only the second time in their history.

A star-studded Pakistan team, led by fast bowler Wasim Akram, kicked off their campaign with a 27-run win over two-time champions West Indies. The Men in Green went on defeat Scotland, Australia, New Zealand and Bangladesh in the group-stage stage. Their unbeaten run continued in the Super nine phase, defeating South Africa, arch-rivals India and Zimbabwe.

Pakistan thus entered the knockout stage and had to face New Zealand in the first semi-final on June 16 at the Emirates Old Trafford in Manchester. Batting first, the Black Caps posted a score of 241 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 50 overs. Interestingly, the top scorers in the first innings were not the Kiwis batters but the Pakistani bowlers who conceded 47 runs in the extras.

Stephen Fleming’s 41 off 57, Roger Twose’ 46 off 83 and Chris Cairns 44 off 48 also helped them to achieve a respectable total. Shoaib Akhtar, who picked three wickets at an economy of 5.50, was the stand out bowler for Pakistan. Wasim Akram and Abdul Razzaq also shone with two wickets each.

Openers hand Pakistan emphatic win

Although the target was a bit competitive, given the intensity of the match, Pakistan’s openers rarely made any mistakes to get the team off to a promising start. Saeed Anwar and Wajahatullah Wasti (84 off 123) stitched a first-wicket stand of 194 runs in 40.3 overs and took the game away from the Kiwis. Ijaz Ahmed (28 off 21) then joined hands with Anwar to take the team through in 47.3 overs.

It was Saeed Anwar who led the charge with an unbeaten 113 off 148 balls. However, express pacer Shoaib Akhtar was adjudged Player of the Match for his brilliant three-wicket haul. Pakistan had a dream campaign throughout the tournament and they eyed their second title in the ODI format. However, Akram and Co. suffered a humiliating eight-wicket loss to the formidable Australia in the final at Lord’s.