Incredibly, Pakistan is one of the favourites to reach the latter stages of World Cup 2003 and possibly go on to clinch the trophy for the second time in eleven years. They reached the semi-final stages of the three successive World Cups, in 1979, 1983, 1987, before wining the trophy for the first and only time in 1992.
Imran khan, the captain, in his 40th year and nursing the injured right shoulder, declared victory over England in the Melbourne final his finest hour, a claim supported by the pictures of him holding the Waterford crystal trophy after ICC Chairman Sir Colin Cowdrey had made the presentation at the MCG. Sitting in a corner of the Pakistan dressing room that March day was Wasim Akram, who also received an award for Man of the Match.
Current Pakistan team will field a squad capable of beating any of the 13 other counties.
They prepare for the tournament with match-winning batsmen of the calibre of Inzamam-ul-Haq, Saeed Anwar, Yousuf Youhana and a new boy Taufiq Umar.
Their bowling is even more impressive with Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar forming a warhead capable of destroying any batting line-up, and if assault and battery fails, they can exploit the subtle varieties of spin and sorcery provided by Saqlain Mushtaq and Shahid Afridi.
Pakistan play their warm-up matches before the tournament against Senior Provincial XI Lenasia, Johannesburg, on Feb 4, and against Senior Provincial XI Willowmoore Park, Benoni, on Feb 6.
Their opening game in the tournament is against the world champions Australia, at Johannesburg, on Feb 11; followed by Namibia, at Kimberley on Feb 16; v England at Cape Town, on Feb 22; v Holland at Paarl, on Feb 25; v India at Centurion on March; and v Zimbabwe at Bulawayo, on March 4.
They will not want a repeat performance of early stages of their triumphant 1992 campaign when they won only one of their first five matches! Luckily, they won all five thereafter.
Fortunately, skipper Waqar Younis has survived all the slings and arrows that curse Pakistan cricket to return to South Africa for one last campaign in the sunset of a glorious career. He will have his word cut out to try to bring harmony to dressing room and bring the individual talents of so many quality players into a collective unit. Imran managed it eleven years ago and the result was the World Cup triumph. Can Waqar follow in his footsteps and end his world Cup career as skipper of the world champions?
Pakistan’s weakest performance in the World Cup was during its inaugural year in 1975. Yet they had been tipped by men like Richie Benuad to win it, on the basis of two victories against England the previous year when as tourists to England for 1974 they had remained unbeaten. Despite having top players like Sadiq Mohammad, Majid Khan, Zaheer Abbas, Mushtaq Mohammad, Wasim Raja, Asif Iqbal, Javed Miandad, Imran Khan, Sarfraz Nawaz, and Wasim Bari, the team did not make it to the semi-finals.
Before winning in 1992, Pakistan made it thrice to the semi-finals, of ‘79 and ‘83, both of which it lost to the West Indies. In 1987, when one of the favourites again, it lost to Australia in the semi-finals. In 1996 it lost in the quarter-finals against India after looking as if it was a simple walkover. For most of the people of the Sub-continent this was the final of the World Cup. Fate had decreed that India should meet Pakistan in the quarter-finals whereas the organisers had planned and hoped that they should meet in the final. India had not played as well as expected in the preliminary round, for many had expected them to be swept away all before it. They redeemed themselves in a match of great passion. Bangalore’s inaugural floodlit international coincided with the first meeting of these teams on Indian soil after six-and-a-half years. Waqar became the fourth bowler to take 200 One-day wickets when he dismissed Ajay Jadeja after the latter had plundered 22 off just one over.
The World Cup has a peculiar tradition. Pakistan were the hot favourites to win the inaugural competition in 1975. They didn’t even make it to the semis! The tournament was won by the West Indies, who beat Australia in the final. Interestingly both the finalists came from the group in which Pakistan was placed.
Pakistan were a strong candidate for the 1979 World Cup. They did feature in the semi-finals but were knocked out by the eventual champions, the West Indies, after a gruelling fight. It was a sad blow for the Pakistanis who had tamed the mighty West Indian pace battery for more than two hours. Had Asif Iqbal not committed the blunders he did, Pakistan would have eliminated the West Indies.
The West Indies, the winners of the World Cup in 1975 as well as in 1979, had fielded an even more formidable side in 1983. They would complete the hat-trick of title wins, it was being commonly believed. The unfancied Indians suddenly rose to great heights and dashed West Indian hopes. It was Kapil Dev, not Clive Lloyd, who was smiling with the World Cup in his hands at the Lord’s balcony on the evening of June 25, 1983.
The 1987 World Cup was hosted jointly by Pakistan and India. Pakistan had performed exceptionally well in the last couple of seasons, and the common feeling in every part of the world was that Imran’s army would be the conqueror. People here seemed to have taken it for granted that the World Cup was ours.
The journey up to the semi-final was smooth, as Pakistan won the first five games convincingly. Group champions Pakistan were pitted against Australia, the runners-up in the rival group, in the semi-final at the Qaddhafi Stadium, Lahore.
What happened at Lahore was a nightmare of the harshest category. It was impossible to believe that Pakistan had been beaten by Australia. People were shell-shocked, speechless and motionless. Nobody had the courage to inquire what really had happened. The sporting crowd at the Qaddhafi Stadium dispersed silently unlike the European football fans who create a rumpus on such occasions.
Cricket ended here. People were unwilling to talk about the game. England, who stayed here for a Test and One-Day series, were greeted by empty stadiums. Even the Gatting-Shakoor Rana episode didn’t generate public interest.
In the ‘99 World Cup, Australia won the Seventh World Cup with such single-minded ruthlessness that even an eight-wicket victory failed to do them justice. Pakistan, the most exciting team in the tournament, were totally outplayed and outwitted at the crucial moment. There was barely four-and-a-half hours of cricket and most of it was one-sided. The 200th World Cup match spanned less than 60 overs. Wasim Akram’s surprising decision to bat first in the final at Lord’s, ran through the Pakistani batting line-up like a dose of salt to dismiss them for a paltry 132, the lowest total recorded in a World Cup final with Glenn McGrath and Man-of-the-Match Shane Warne the Pakistani’s chief tormentors. In reply, the Australians lost just two wickets as they rattled off the runs in double quick time with a splendid batting effort spearheaded by keeper Adam Gilchrist’s brisk businesslike cameo of 54. Australia again proved what a resilient, tough bunch of cricketers they are.
WAQAR YOUNIS: Captain. Born in Burewala on Nov 16, 1971. Right-handed lower-order batsman. Right-arm fast bowler. ODI Debut: v WI at Sharjah in 1989-90; 256 matches, 135 innings, 45 not outs, 952 runs (@ 10.57), HS 37, Strike rate 66.94, 32 catches, 2086.1 overs, 141 maidens, 9743 runs conceded, 409 wickets (@ 23.82), BB 7-36, 4w 14, 5w 13, Strike Rate 30.60, Economy 4.67. In World Cup 7 matches 15 runs (@ 15.00) HS 11, 15 Wickets (@ 19.26), BB 4-26, Economy 4.58). World Cup Appearance: 1996, 1999
INZAMAM-UL-HAQ: Vice-Captain. Born in Multan on March 3, 1970. Right-handed middle-order batsman. Left-arm slow bowler. ODI Debut: v West Indies at Lahore in 1991-92; 284 matches, 266 innings, 8,938 runs (@39.20), HS 137, Strike Rate 71.83, 8 100s, 64 50s, 85 catches, 9.4 Overs, 1 maiden, 64 runs, 3 wickets (21.33) BB 1-0, Strike Rate 19.3, Economy 6.62. In World Cup (26 matches, 624 runs (@ 29.71) HS 81). World Cup Appearance: 1992, 1996, 1999
ABDUL RAZZAQ: Born in Lahore on Dec 2, 1979. Right-handed tail-end batsman. Right-arm fast-medium bowler. ODI Debut: v Zimbabwe at Lahore in 1996-97. 119 matches, 101 innings, 22 not outs, 2188 (27.69), HS 112, Strike Rate 70.33 1 100s, 12 50s, 15 catches, 889.4 overs, 60 maidens, 3927 runs conceded, 153 wickets, (@ 25.66), BB 6-35, 4w 4 5w 3, Strike Rate 34.8, Economy 4.41. In World Cup (9 matches, 170 (@21.25) HS 60, 13 wickets (@ 23.23), BB 3-25, Economy 3.92). World Cup Appearance: 1999
AZHAR MAHMOOD: Born in Rawalpindi on Feb 28, 1975. Right-handed lower-order batsman. Right-arm fast-medium bowler. ODI Debut: v India at Toronto in 1996-97; 123 matches, 94 innings, 20 not outs, 1309 runs (@ 17.68), HS 67, Strike Rate 75.31, 3 50s, 37 catches, 919.3 overs, 52 maidens, 4182 runs conceded, 112 wickets (@37.33), BB 6-18, 4w 2, 5w 3, Strike Rate 49.2 Economy 4.54. In World Cup (10 matches, 116 runs (@ 16.57) , HS 37, 13 wickets (@ 26.76), BB 3-24, Economy 4.14). World Cup Appearance: 1999
MOHAMMAD SAMI: Born in Karachi on Feb 24, 1981. Right-handed lower-order batsman. Right-arm fast bowler. ODI Debut: v Sri Lanka at Sharjah in 2000-01. 18 matches, 8 innings, 5 not outs, 10 runs, (@ 3.33), HS 4*, Strike Rate 21.73, 5 catches, 144.5 overs, 6 maidens, 725 runs, 25 wickets (@ 29.00), BB 4-41, 4w 2, Strike Rate 34.7, Economy 5.00.
RASHID LATIF: Born in Karachi on Oct 14, 1968. Right-handed lower-order batsman. Right-arm leg-break bowler. Wicketkeeper. ODI Debut: v England at Nottingham in 1992. 143 matches, 98 innings, 27 not outs, 1352 runs (@ 19.04), HS, 79, 3 50s, 183 dismissals (149 catches, 34 stumps). In World Cup (6 matches, 26 runs (@ 13.00), Hs 26, 7 catches, 2 stumpings). World Appearance: 1996
SAEED ANWAR: Born in Karachi on Sept 6, 1968. Left-handed opening batsman. Left-arm slow bowler. ODI Debut: v West Indies at Perth in 1988-89. 242 matches, 239 innings, 18 not outs, 8605 runs (@ 38.93), HS 194 (World Record), Strike Rate 80.91, 19 100s, 43 50s, 42 catches, 36.2 overs, 3 maidens, 176 runs conceded, 5 wickets (@ 35.20), BB 2-9, Strike Rate 43.6, Economy 4.84. In World Cup (16 matches, 697 runs (@ 53.61), HS 113*). World Appearance: 1996, 1999
SALEEM ELAHI: Born in Sahiwal on Nov 21, 1976. Younger brother of Manzoor and Zahoor Elahi. Right-handed opening batsman. Right-arm off-break bowler. ODI Debut: v Sri Lanka at Gujranwala in 1995-96. 36 matches, 36 innings, 2 not outs, 1271 runs (@ 37.38), HS 135, Strike Rate 73.29, 4 100s, 6 50s, 9 catches.
SAQLAIN MUSHTAQ: Born in Lahore on Dec 29, 1976. Right-handed lower-order batsman. Right-arm off-break bowler. ODI Debut: v Sri Lanka at Gujranwala in 1995-96. 165 matches, 94 innings, 35 not outs, 694 runs (@ 11.76), HS 37*, Strike Rate 49.74, 40 catches, 1435 overs, 64 maidens, 6146 runs conceded, 284 wickets (@ 21.64), BB 5-20, 4w 11, 5w 6, Strike Rate 30.3, Economy 4.28. In World Cup (11 matches 40 runs (@ 13.33), HS 21, 19 wickets (@ 21.94), BB 5-35, Economy 4.45). World Cup Appearance: 1996, 1999.
SHAHID AFRIDI: Born in the Khyber Agency on March 1, 1980. Right-handed lower-order or opening batsman. Right-arm leg-break bowler. ODI Debut: v Kenya at Nairobi in 1996-97. 173 matches, 168 innings, 7 not outs, 3871 runs (@ 24.04), HS 109, Strike Rate 101. 62, 3 100s, 22 50s, 63 catches, 1092.2 overs, 42 maidens, 5007 runs conceded, 128 wickets (@ 39.11), BB 5-40, 5w 1, Strike Rate 51.2 Economy 4.58. In World Cup (8 matches, 93 runs (@ 13.28), HS 37, one wicket (@ 115.00), BB 1-26, Economy 5.22 World Cup Appearance: 1999
SHOAIB AKHTAR: Born in Rawalpindi on Aug 13, 1975. Right-handed lower order batsman. Right-arm fast bowler. ODI Debut: v Zimbabwe at Harare in 1997-98. 75 matches, 32 innings, 98 runs (@ 7.53), HS 36, Strike Rate 47.34, 12 catches, 568.5 overs, 50 maidens, 26562 runs conceded, 122 wickets (@ 21.00), BB 6-16, 4w 1, 5w 3, Strike Rate 27.9, Economy 4.5. In World Cup (10 matches, 4 runs (@. -), HS 2*, 16 wickets (@ 24.50), BB 3-11, Economy 4.84). World Cup Appearance: 1999
TAUFIQ UMAR: Born in Lahore on June 20, 1981. Left-handed opening batsman. Right-arm Off-break bowler. ODI Debut: v Sri Lanka at Sharjah in 2001-02. 6 matches, 6 innings, 180 runs (@ 30.00), HS 76, Strike Rate 64.28, 2 50s, 4 catches, 11 overs, 77 runs (@77.00), BB 1-49, Strike Rate 66.0, Economy 7.00.
WASIM AKRAM: Born in Lahore on June 3, 1966. Left-handed middle- or lower-order batsman. Left-arm fast bowler. ODI Debut: v New Zealand at Faisalabad in 1984-85. 350 matches, 275 innings, 53 not outs, 3646 (@ 16.42), HS 86, Strike Rate 88.04, 6 50s, 88 catches, 2983.3 overs, 234 maidens, 11611 runs conceded, 490 wickets (@ 23.69), BB 5-15, 4w 17, 5w 5, Strike Rate 36.5, Economy 3.89. In World Cup (32 matches, 355 runs (@18.68), HS 43, 43 wickets (@ 25.81), BB 4-32, Economy 4.00). World Cup Appearance: 1987,1992,1996,1999
YOUNIS KHAN: Born in Mardan on Nov 29, 1977. Right-handed middle-order batsman. Right-arm leg-break bowler. ODI Debut: v Sri Lanka at Karachi in 1999-00. 70 matches, 67 innings, 9 not outs, 1826 runs (@ 31.48), HS 90, Strike Rate 70.61, 14 50s, 30 catches, 9 overs, 63 runs, one wicket (@ 63.00), BB 1-24, Strike Rate 54.0, Economy 7.00
YOUSUF YOUHANA: Born in Lahore on Aug 27, 1974. Right-handed middle-order batsman. ODI Debut: v Zimbabwe at Harare in 1997-98. 121 matches, 115 innings, 18 not outs, 4160 runs (@ 42.88), HS 141* Strike Rate 72.33, 8 100s, 23 50s, 31 catches. In World Cup (4 matches, 161 runs (@ 53.66), HS 81*). World Cup Appearance: 1999.
Incredibly, Pakistan is one of the favourites to reach the latter stages of World Cup 2003 and possibly go on to clinch the trophy for the second time in eleven years. They reached the semi-final stages of the three successive World Cups, in 1979, 1983, 1987, before wining the trophy for the first and only time in 1992.
