Summary Pakistani fans tend to compare everything with the famous 1992 triumph. But how right are they?
(Web Desk) - The recently concluded eighth edition of the coveted Champions Trophy, which featured eight of the world’s best sides, was won fittingly by a somewhat unknown Pakistan outfit and even 48 hours after the final against India at The Oval, the Pakistani fans can’t get enough of the famous win.
When it comes to major cricket tournaments, the Pakistani fans from all around the world have a habit of comparing the then ongoing tournament to the famous World Cup triumph of 1992 and to the surprise of many this year’s Champions Trophy was no different.
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Ever since the start of the tournament, the over-optimistic fans of the ‘green team’ couldn’t help themselves from comparing the two tournaments. Here we look at some of the uncanny similarities between the Champions Trophy triumph under Sarfraz Ahmed and the ’92 World Cup victory under the great Imran Khan.
The “Underdogs” tag
In both the events, even though separated by almost two and a half decades, the Pakistan Cricket team went in the tournament as the least favorites to take home the cup. A dismantled outfit low on confidence with a fair share of new faces entered the tournaments with just the sole aim of making it to the business end. As it eventually turned out, both the teams strived after having been given the “underdogs” tag.
Outclassing the hosts
In the 1992 World Cup, which was hosted by New Zealand and Australia, the Pakistani team team led by the inspirational captain Imran Khan, turned quite a few heads as they outclassed the hosts, New Zealand in the semi-final of the competition by 7 wickets. Heading into the semi-final, New Zealand were unbeaten and looked all set to win the entire tournament but Khan’s “cornered tigers” had other plans. Fast forward 25 years and you see an inspired Pakistan team led by the aggressive Sarfraz Ahmed outclassing the host once again, yet again in the semi-finals of the tournament!
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Youngsters leading the charge
The Pakistan team went into the World Cup of 1992, with a relatively new team. Prior to the tournament, the green team lost their weapon in the shape of Waqar Younis who had to stay back because of an injury. But, the team eventually found new heroes who stepped up when the occasion demanded. The likes of Wasim Akram, Inzimam Ul Haq and Aqib Javed were influential in Pakistan’s campaign. The situation was no different in 2017’s ODI tournament. The team was able to unearth new talent in the form of Hasan Ali, who eventually bagged the player of the tournament award, Fakhar Zaman, who was extremely potent in the final and Shadab Khan, another key player in Pakistan’s triumph.
The two A’s leading the way in the final
Video Credits: PenChowk
Both Akram and Amir starred in the finals of the tournaments as the two ripped through very strong batting lineups, one rattling the English and the other bamboozling arch-rivals India. The 3 wickets each taken by the two in the final can be considered as Pakistan’s most important 6 deliveries to date!
Pakistan winning on 22nd Ramazan
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To many people’s surprise, both the Pakistani teams won on the same date; Islamically of course. Stretching to almost 25 years between the two famous victories, the two captains lifted the trophies on the eve of the 22nd Ramazan, iconic to say the least.
