S Hasan: World Cup Fiasco In Bangalore Eclipsed Pakistan Successes (31 Dec 1996)

31 December 1996

World Cup fiasco in Bangalore eclipsed Pakistan`s successes

By Samiul Hasan

The defeat in the World Cup quarter-final and that too against India at Bangalore on March 9, completely eclipsed Pakistan`s otherwise excellent performance in the year that included victories in four Tests against just one defeat in seven Tests and winning of three one-day international competitions out of five.

Pakistan had entered the World Cup being the defending champions. But the first setback they suffered was the defeat in the third round match when South Africa beat them comprehensively. That defeat affected their standing in their group and after finishing second ahead of New Zealand, England, United Emirates Cricket Board and Holland, made a trip to India to play the quarter-final where India were waiting for them having finished third behind Sri Lanka and Australia and ahead of the West Indies, Kenya and Zimbabwe.

It was Pakistan`s first visit across the border in seven years and in the background of victories in Sharjah competitions over India and other political tensions between the two countries, they were welcomed by a hostile and unfriendly crowd. If those pressures were not enough, Wasim Akram`s withdrawal from the crunch match only 15 minutes before toss left cricket fans and follows, in this part of the world bewildered.

Against all odds, Pakistan enjoyed dictating terms in the first 42 overs of the match restricting India to around 200 for four before the advent of Ajay Jadeja who launched a blistering attack to collect around 120 runs in the last 10 overs including 57 in the last four. Pakistan chasing, 288 to win, were off to a flier reaching 113 for one in the first 15 overs but Aamir Sohail`s lack of concentration, lop-sided team planning which saw Salim Malik and Javed Miandad come out at No. 5 and 6 respectively and rank bad batsmanship by Ijaz Ahmad and Inzamamul Haq saw the defending champions crash out for 248.

Ardent aficionados of the game in Pakistan could not accept the defeat in a contest of fluctuating fortunes and leveled serious allegations against Wasim Akram with one of them filing a writ petition in the Punjab High Court. In disappointment and desperation they burnt effigies of the players, made threatening calls at their residences besides pelting stones.

The Indians, who enjoyed every moment of the momentous victory, touched rock bottom a few days later when their semi-final match was awarded to Sri Lanka after people broke loose watching India slump to 120 for nine while chasing 252 for victory. It was the worst-ever crowd behavior which spoiled and stained the sporting traditions of Calcutta`s huge crowds.

Though Pakistan crashed out of the World Cup, cricket fever in the country didn`t subside. On March 17, an overflowing pro-Sri Lanka crowd at the flood-lit Qadhafi Stadium saw their favorite side lift the World Cup. Sri Lanka beat Australia in the final by seven wickets and settled the scores with the Australians who along with the West Indies had refused to play league matches in the Pearl Island.

Putting behind the defeat in the World Cup, Pakistan traveled to Singapore where they won their first one-day competition in two years defeating India in the league match and Sri Lanka in the final. But their inconsistency cost Pakistan dear when a week later they failed to reach the finals of the Sharjah Cup. South Africa, on their first visit to the desert city, clinched the top honors beating India.

The Pakistan cricket team left for England in late June to play three Tests and as many one-day internationals hoping for the best. And the best followed. Pakistan defeated England in two Tests to salvage some pride and confidence that had been woefully wounded.

Inzamamul Haq and Ijaz Ahmad, who had fared badly in the World Cup were once again on the rampage when they scored heavily along with Saeed Anwar while Waqar Younis bamboozled the Englishmen with his speed and Mushtaq Ahmad mesmerized the hosts with his crafty leg-spinners. Moin Khan and Salim Malik also made valuable contributions in the second and third Tests respectively but there was no significant joy for Aamir Sohail, who missed most of the matches because of injury, and skipper Wasim Akram, who was lacking fitness after two months of absence from competitive cricket.

Immediately after their return from England, Pakistan team left for Canada for the inaugural Sahara Cup against India. Despite difficult conditions and hectic traveling schedules plus the ab- sence of Inzamamul Haq and Mushtaq Ahmad, Pakistan overpowered India 3-2 in the five-match series.

From Canada, Pakistan came back to Karachi and after a six-hour stint in transit flew off to Kenya leaving behind an injured Aamir Sohail. To cop the misfortunes Wasim Akram`s father suffered a heart attack and he had to rush back leaving the Pakistan team visibly weakened. Natures Law of compensation, however, came into play when Shahid Khan Afridi hammered a blazing 100 runs knock in 37 bowls that helped Pakistan beat Sri Lanka and qualify for the final against South Africa where they were soundly beaten. Nevertheless, considering a host of handicaps it was a commendable performance.

Pakistan played two Tests at home against Zimbabwe winning by 1-0 and followed up this success with a clean sweep in the one-day series. The home team went to Sharjah and after winning the three-nation event, came back with New Zealand for the two-Test series. The New Zealanders dealt a telling blow when they won their first Test in Pakistan in 27 years at Lahore. Pakistan were, however, quick to regain their composure and leveled the series 1-1.

Pakistan`s cricketers are currently in Australia and have so far won and lost a game against Australia and the West Indies respectively. The World Series competition restarts on Jan 1. Individual achievements:

Hasan Raza became the youngest Test player at 14 years and 237 days when he played against Zimbabwe at Faisalabad. Raza broke Mushtaq Mohammad`s record who had played his first Test in 1958- 59 at Lahore against the West Indies at the age of 15 years and 124 days.

Shahid Khan Afridi slammed a 37-ball 100 in his second one-day international to eclipse Sanath Jayasuriya`s record of a 46-ball 100 against Pakistan in April. Afridi also established a new record of 11 sixes in his 102.

Saeed Anwar became year`s highest one-day scorer getting 1,576 runs while Aamir Sohail completed his 1,000 runs in a calendar year for the second time in three years.

Wasim Akram, besides completing 300 wickets in both Tests and one-day internationals, scored his Test-best 257 against Zimbabwe at Sheikhupura that included record 12 sixes. He established a new world record partnership of 313 runs for the 8th wicket with Saqlain Mushtaq (79).

Mohammad Wasim, a Pakistan Under-19 captain, registered a century on his debut against New Zealand at Lahore but failed to save Pakistan from defeat.

Paceman Mohammad Zahid became the first Pakistani to claim 10 wickets or more in his debut when he captured 11 wickets in the second Test at Rawalpindi against New Zealand.

Saqlain Mushtaq, the promising 20-year-old spinner, became the leading wicket-taker of the year when he finished with 65 wickets from 32 games.

These outstanding records were, however, marred by an ugly episode when Pakistan Under-19 player, Zeeshan Pervaiz was charged in Jamaica, West Indies, for raping a 36-year-old mother of three. The case is still in the Jamaican High Court and Zeeshan`s first hearing is on Jan 6, 1997.

Source :: Dawn (https://xiber.com/dawn)