On this day: When minnows conquered legends

On May 31, Pakistan lost to Bangladesh by 62 runs in the 1999 World Cup

May 31, seventeen years ago, something happened that took the cricketing world by surprise. Many were shocked, others said the match was fixed but no reason or critique could take the limelight away from Bangladesh who beat Pakistan by 62 runs in the 1999 World Cup.

Pakistan were oozing with confidence after they had managed four-out-of-four victories in their Group B fixtures. A 27-run victory over West Indies, a 94-run rout of Scotland, a 10-run win against the mighty Aussies and a 62-run defeat inflicted upon the Kiwis had sent the cricketing world a clear message that this team was not meant to surrender to anyone.

PHOTO: AFP

Under the captaincy of left-arm bowling legend Wasim Akram, the men adorning the light green jersey had only looked forward throughout their initial group stage fixtures but then, Bangladesh happened!

Bangladesh were sent in to bat first at County Ground, Northampton. Shahriar Hossain’s 39 top-of-the-order and Akram Khan’s 42 at one-down position assisted Bangladesh in setting up a 224-run target for the loss of nine wickets. Saqlain Mushtaq, with a fifer off his off-spin, made sure Bangladesh didn’t set a much higher total.

Another interesting stat to observe was that Wasim and Saqlain both went for 35 runs each in their 10 overs but the left-arm pacer bowled eight wides and four no-balls in comparison to the right-arm spinner’s six wides – a total of 18 extras. Combined, Pakistan managed to give away 40 runs in extras; five leg-byes, 28 wides and seven no-balls.

PHOTO: AFP

Pakistan came in to chase for the very first time in the tournament with a very easily manageable target in front of them as they boasted the likes of Saeed Anwar, Shahid Afridi, Inzamaul Haq, Saleem Malik and Ijaz Ahmed as their front line batsmen. But the world’s most unpredictable side lived up to its name. The first five wickets fell for a score of 42; none of the top five batsmen went into double digits.

Azhar Mahmood (29) and Wasim Akram (29) then combined for a 55-run partnership but lost their wickets in the 28th and 30th overs of the match leaving the team in shambles. Two more partnerships of 22 runs between Moin Khan and Saqlain and 36 runs between Waqar Younis and Saqlain gave the fans some hope, but it couldn’t prevent the impending disaster.

The last wicket to fall on the score of 161 was of Saqlain. As Shoaib Akhtar tried to sneak a quick single from covers, Saqlain tried his best to make it to the striker’s end but was just a few inches short. The fervent crowd didn’t event wait for the third umpire’s decision, swarming the pitch to celebrate Bangladesh’s maiden World Cup victory in their first-ever appearance and that too against their former countrymen.



PHOTO: AFP

Wasim called it ‘the bad day’ that every team has to see and said he was ‘happy that it is finally over’ but he forgot that a butterfly’s fluttering wings can cause a hurricane in some other part of the world.

The loss was followed by Pakistan’s defeat to South Africa and India in the Super Sixes where the only victory then came against Zimbabwe.

The final of the 1999 World Cup, then, was a witness to the aforementioned hurricane. Pakistan’s batting line-up collapsed and could only muster 132-run target for the Steve Waugh-led side. The team from down under broke the finishing tape with eight wickets in hands and lifted the silverware.

Relive the moment:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xRWiDT6dPAs