Australia won the 1987 ODI World Cup to become the third team after the West Indies and India to win an ODI World Cup. They entered the 1992 ODI World Cup, which was co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand, as the defending champions. This tournament was famously known as the “Benson & Hedges World Cup 1992.” The first four editions had eight teams, but this tournament has 9 teams in total.
Australia (hosts), England, India, New Zealand (hosts), Pakistan, Sri Lanka, West Indies, Zimbabwe while South Africa was making their debut. However, Australia couldn’t defend their title, and it was Pakistan that clinched the championship under the leadership of Imran Khan. They became only the second Asian team to win an ODI World Cup. The 1992 ODI World Cup was also the first tournament where players played with colorful team kits. It was played without a group system, with the top four teams from nine teams making it to the semi-finals.
Pakistan’s journey in 1992 ODI World Cup
Pakistan played their first game against the West Indies on February 23 and suffered a humiliating 10-wicket loss. Ramiz Raza scored 102 not out in the first game, but it went in vain. Pakistan won their second game against Zimbabwe by 53 runs on February 27 in Hobart. Aamer Sohail (114) scored a century, and Pakistan made 254/4, restricting Zimbabwe to 201/7.
However, Pakistan’s third game against England at the Adelaide Oval was washed out, and both teams shared a point each. Then, they faced archrival India in their fourth game and lost that game by 43 runs. India made 216/7 and dismissed Pakistan for 173 runs. It was not it; Pakistan also lost their fifth game against South Africa in a rain-affected game by 20 runs. South Africa made 211/7 in 50 overs. Pakistan only managed 173/8 and lost the game.
🗓 25 March 1992
— ICC Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) March 25, 2019
📍 Melbourne
🏏 World Cup Final#OnThisDay in 1992, Pakistan won the World Cup! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/FPAes9YKxy
It left the Imran Khan-led team with three losses, one win, and one no-result in first five group games. It looked impossible for them to qualify for the final. They needed to win all of their three remaining games, that too against some good teams. But that miracle happened. In their very next game, Pakistan thrashed the defending champion, Australia, by 48 runs on March 11 in Perth. After scoring 220/9, Pakistan bowled out Australia for 172 runs.
That win against Australia gave Pakistan momentum, and they didn’t look back after that. Their next game is against Sri Lanka in Perth on March 15. Chasing the target of 213, Pakistan made 216/6 in 49.1 overs to win it with four wickets and five balls to spare. Pakistan faced New Zealand in their last group match, which was a do-or-die game for them.
And they played in that fashion. Firstly, Pakistan bowled out New Zealand for 166 and made 167/3 to win by seven wickets and advance to the semi-final. Pakistan met New Zealand again in the semi-final in Auckland on March 21 and registered consecutive wins over the Black Caps. New Zealand made 262/7 in 50 overs, while Pakistan reached 264/6 in 49 overs to make it to their first ever ODI World Cup final.
In the final game of the tournament, they faced England at the MCG on March 25. Pakistan posted a score of 249/6 in their first inning and dismissed England for 227 runs to win their maiden ODI World Cup. It was the first and only time Pakistan had ever held the most prestigious trophy in cricket.
Pakistan Squad for the 1992 ODI World Cup
Imran Khan (c). Aamir Sohail, Aaqib Javed, Ijaz Ahmed, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Iqbal Sikander, Javed Miandad, Moin Khan (wk), Mushtaq Ahmed, Rameez Raja, Saleem Malik, Wasim Akram, Wasim Haider, Zahid Fazal
Pakistan Roadmap to 1992 World Cup Final
| Match | Against | Venue | Date | Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Group | West Indies | Melbourne | Feb 23, Sun | WI won by 10 wkts |
| Group | Zimbabwe | Hobart | Feb 27, Thursday | PAK won by 53 runs |
| Group | England | Adelaide | Mar 01, Sunday | No-result |
| Group | India | Sydney | Mar 04, Wednesday | IND won by 43 runs |
| Group | South Africa | Brisbane | Mar 08, Sunday | SA won by 20 runs |
| Group | Australia | Perth | Mar 11, Wednesday | PAK won by 48 runs |
| Group | Sri Lanka | Perth | Mar 15, Sunday | PAK won by 4 wkts |
| Group | New Zealand | Christchurch | Mar 18, Wednesday | PAK won by 7 wkts |
| Semi-final | New Zealand | Auckland | Mar 21, Saturday | PAK won by 4 wkts |
| Final | England | Melbourne | Mar 25, Wednesday | PAK won by 22 runs |
PAK Most Runs in 1992 World Cup
| Batter | Mts | Runs | HS | Avg | 50/100 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Javed Miandad | 9 | 437 | 89 | 62.42 | 5/0 |
| Ramiz Raja | 8 | 349 | 119* | 58.16 | 0/2 |
| Aamer Sohail | 10 | 326 | 114 | 32.60 | 2/1 |
| Inzamam-ul-Haq | 10 | 225 | 60 | 22.50 | 1/0 |
| Imran Khan | 8 | 185 | 72 | 30.83 | 1/0 |
PAK Most Wickets in 1992 World Cup
| Bowler | Mts | Wkts | BBI | Econ | 4/5 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wasim Akram | 10 | 18 | 4/32 | 3.76 | 1/0 |
| Mushtaq Ahmed | 9 | 16 | 3/41 | 3.98 | 0/0 |
| Aaqib Javed | 10 | 11 | 3/21 | 3.86 | 0/0 |
| Imran Khan | 8 | 7 | 2/32 | 4.16 | 0/0 |
| Aamer Sohail | 10 | 4 | 2/26 | 4.60 | 0/0 |