http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Wasim-Akram-c96292 - The 1992 spell which wrote the script - Opinion
Swing bowling and the usage of the art to fox the most astute of batsman is a skill. It is a skill that many have tried to master but few have been able to employ with good effect. Employing it at the highest level in a pressure game is in itself a venture
that even the most courageous of players would break a sweat over. Such was the class of one man from Lahore, who took the initiative to new heights, in what was a remarkable tournament.
It was the Final of the http://www.senore.com/Cricket/John-Wakefield-Holder-c68885 and Hedges Cricket World Cup of 1992 which was being played at the MCG. An unpredictable Pakistan outfit was pitted up against an experienced yet indolent English side. Both teams had contrasting fortunes in the lead up to
the final. The former had to bear the brunt of a rallying cry from their skipper to fight like cornered tigers whereas the latter had survived a farce at Sydney to emerge as finalists. The stage was set for the First ever World Cup Final to be played in colored
clothing with white cricket balls at either end. The new features which were introduced in the World Cup managed to change the state of swing bowling forever.
After winning the toss, Pakistan managed to laboriously toil to pile up a well made 249 for 6 in 50 overs, after stuttering at the beginning of their innings. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/England-c56013’s reply hinted at defiance, as the team managed to gather themselves after a ruthless assault
by the Pakistani pacers up front. With http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Neil-Harvey-Fairbrother-c79115 standing in the way of Pakistan lifting the title, the score was 141 for 4 when left arm seam bowling came onto the map.
Wasim Akram was a household name in cricket prior to this tournament, as his numerous stints yielded significant dividends for his country since his debut in 1985. He was known to swing the ball late and use the overhead conditions as well as the state of
the ball to pure effect. Prior to the final, Akram’s contributions were crucial in ensuring that Pakistan got as far as they did, after nearly crashing out of the tournament in the group stages. The batsman he confronted was Allan Lamb, who was known for annihilating
bowling attacks as well as being an astute player of swing. As Akram charged into bowl he summed up a delivery that sent down shockwaves throughout the cricket world.
A delivery bowled from around the wicket managed to initially come into the right-handed http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Allan-Joseph-Lamb-c43710 and leave him as soon as it hit the seam. Lamb reached out for it, missed and eventually perished. The result was a wicket for Pakistan which clipped the
off stump after tailoring in on middle and leg. Lamb was speechless as the fans roared in appreciation. Here was Akram who had done the unthinkable. He managed to snare a fine player as the game continued to slip away. England was still in the hunt but Akram
had one more trick up his sleeve.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Christopher-John-Lewis-c50868, a capable lower order batsman, watched that gem of a delivery from Akram from the pavilion. His technique was geared up to tackle the deadly late swing that Akram was generating beneath the Melbourne skies. Then came another shocker. As Lewis
dragged his pad to the line of the delivery that was seemingly, leaving him, the ball darted back in, bowling him for a duck and giving Wasim Akram a chance to get a hat trick in a World Cup Final.
The hat trick wasn’t to be, but with three wickets for 49 runs in 10 overs along with some lusty blows with the bat, Akram was declared as the Man of the Match in that game. http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Imran-Khan-c64237 and Akram was instrumental.
What followed was the peak of the great man’s career. Wasim bowled with such tenacity and passion that he became the leading left arm bowler that the world had ever seen. Players wanted to emulate Akram in his prime best. For those who witnessed him bowl,
his stint in the 1992 Cricket World Cup will go down as one of his best spells ever.
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