On This Day In 1992: Pakistan Won The Cricket World Cup Under Imran Khan’s Leadership
On March 25, 1992, Pakistan won the World Cup by defeating England at the MCG. Led by Imran Khan, Pakistan triumphed by 22 runs, with Wasim Akram as Player of the Match.
On This Day In 1992: Over three decades ago, Pakistan scripted history by beating England to win the 1992 Benson and Hedges World Cup. The high-octane affair was played at the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia on March 25. The victory was a testament to the Pakistani side’s resilience and passion. It also showcased their undying belief which helped the Imran Khan-led side conquer the fifty-over tournament, etching their names into cricketing folklore.
Pakistan defeated Graham Gooch’s men by 22 runs to win their maiden World Cup trophy. Wasim Akram was awarded the Player of the Match for his three-wicket haul and 33 runs in the final.
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Pakistan’s journey to the World Cup final was far from smooth. Their campaign endured a shaky start with early setbacks that nearly derailed their ambitions. A demoralising defeat to the West Indies cast serious doubts over their ability to compete in the tournament. The Asian powerhouse was dismissed for a paltry 74 runs in that game.
Imran Khan played a pivotal role in galvanising his team by delivering stirring speeches and reminding his players of Pakistan’s inherent talent. A resurgence followed as the Men in Green secured a crucial victory against Australia. They defeated tournament hosts New Zealand in the semi-final, courtesy of an explosive knock from Inzamam-ul-Haq.
The stage for the final was set as Pakistan batted first in the ultimate game. They posted a competitive total of 249 with Imran Khan anchoring the composed innings.
Pakistan lost both their openers early during the fixture with Aamer Sohail and Ramiz Raja failing to reach double digits. The skipper, however, read the situation well and formed a 139-run partnership with Javed Miandad. Pakistan’s semi-final hero Inzamam-ul-Haq added 42 runs before Wasim Akram scored another 18-ball 33, bringing the innings to a close.
England, known for their disciplined bowling attack, failed to stem Pakistan’s flow of runs in the final. Their chase was met with the opposing side’s fierce bowling display.
Pakistan’s star pacer Wasim Akram seemed to be at the absolute peak of his powers as he sent three English batters packing. Mushtaq Ahmed’s spin-bowling spells further tightened Pakistan’s grip in the match while putting massive pressure on the English batters.
The last wicket fell on the final over’s second delivery to seal the trophy for Pakistan. Seeing Richard Illingworth depart, Pakistan players erupted with joy and celebrated the win together on the pitch.
Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup triumph became a symbol of national pride. It inspired a generation of cricketers while cementing Imran Khan’s legacy as one of the sport’s greatest-ever icons.
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