CWC 2019: Are Cornered Tigers coming back to lift the World Cup?

They say history repeats itself. Pakistani cricket team have taken it upon themselves to prove the quote correct. Many fans have compared Pakistan’s current performance in the World Cup to their winning campaign in the 1992 World Cup under Imran Khan. The comparison has thrown up co-incidences that are too sensational to ignore.

It all begins with the tournament format. From the previous 11 World Cup editions, 1992 was the only tournament in which the group stages were played in a round-robin format. Nine teams had taken part in the competition and all played against each other once. The ongoing event in England that includes 10 teams follows the exact same format.

Let’s tally Pakistan’s match results from 1992 with 2019 –

1st match – Defeated by West Indies

In the 1992 World Cup, Pakistan was blasted by West Indies in their opening encounter. Chasing 220, the Caribbean side inflicted a 10-wicket defeat. In 2019, a similar result was observed. West Indian pace bowlers skittled Pakistan for only 105 runs and cruised to a seven-wicket win.

2nd match – The First win

27 years ago, Pakistan faced Zimbabwe in their second match and registered a comfortable 53-run win over the developing side. In the ongoing tournament, Sarfraz Ahmed’s men faced the favourites England but surprisingly defeated them to secure a win by 14 runs.

3rd match – A Washout

The first sign of this incredible coincidental run was observed in the Asian team’s third game. Extraordinarily, both the matches (Pakistan’s third match in 1992 and 2019 World Cup) had to be cancelled due to rain. In the 1992 game, Pakistan was all out for only 74 against England but the weather gods rescued them.

4th match – Another loss

In 1992, Pakistan faced arch-rivals India in their fourth match of the tournament. This was the first-ever clash between these two nations at the World Cup and India’s 43-run victory kickstarted a rivalry that captivates billions today. In 2019, Australia handed the green team a 41-run defeat.

5th match – A loss in rain-truncated game

Against South Africa, Pakistan failed to chase down 194 runs in 36 overs as stipulated by the rain rule and lost their fifth game of the 1992 World Cup. In 2019, the same team lost to India at Manchester by 89 runs (DLS method). This match was reduced to 40 overs after rain interruption.

6th match – Sohail wins the game for his side

Yesterday (23rd June), Pakistan soared to a 49-run victory over South Africa at Lord’s. Haris Sohail was adjudged the man of the match for his breath-taking knock of 89 from just 59 balls. Incredibly, 27 years ago, Aamir Sohail had scored 76 in Pakistan’s win over Australia in their sixth game of the tournament. The winning margin was 48 runs, one less than yesterday.

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Now, all that is left for Sarfraz Ahmed’s team is to win all three remaining games (Pakistan played one match less in 1992 World Cup since there were only nine teams), defeat New Zealand in the semi-final, beat England in the final and lift the World Cup, just like they did in 1992.

Pakistan in WC 1992

Match 1 – Lost
Match 2 – Won
Match 3 – No Result
Match 4 – Lost
Match 5 – Lost
Match 6 – Won

Pakistan in WC 2019

Match 1 – Lost
Match 2 – Won
Match 3 – No Result
Match 4 – Lost
Match 5 – Lost
Match 6 – Won

Uncanny Resemblance! #CWC19

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) June 24, 2019