The cricket World Cup reached new shores, moving to Australia and New Zealand in 1992. Startled as well as shocked by the growing popularity of the shorter version, the purists who lived by extolling the virtues of W.G. Grace and Don Bradman, frowned upon the innovations that came into play: white balls, black sightscreens, coloured clothing and artificial light for day-night games.
Clearly, Kerry Packer’s far-sightedness in adding frills to the game was beginning to be appreciated, although the establishment was not ready to raise a toast to the Australian media mogul responsible for it. Most players and fans, however, loved the add-ons, and the Indians were the `Men In Blue’ in the era of 'pyjama' cricket.
Despite all the warmth extended to the cricket-tourists, the World Cup became notorious for what some called the 'stupid rain rule' that hurt teams chasing a revised target following rain interference. Admitted into the competition at the eleventh hour, South Africa suffered the worst fate after the rain gods came in the way of an engrossing contest at the Sydney Cricket Ground. South Africa’s target changed from 22 off 13 deliveries to 22 off 7 before the scoreboard showed the absurd: 22 off 1!
India, too, got a raw deal while chasing 238 against Australia at Brisbane and went on to lose by one run, while Pakistan was lucky to share points with England after being shot out for 74 in Adelaide. This was a World Cup in which the sides did not enjoy a reserve day as they had to travel long distances to complete the schedule. Australia hosted 25 matches and New Zealand 14, including the semifinal at Auckland.
Across the Tasman, New Zealand captain Martin Crowe showed the way, flaying the rival bowlers and deploying his slow medium-pacers to good effect on wickets that played slow and low. He surprised Australia in the very first game, throwing the new ball to off-spinner Dipak Patel. It was smooth sailing for Crowe’s team until it ran into a rejuvenated Pakistan and lost back-to-back matches - the final league match at Christchurch and the semifinal at Auckland.
It was a dream World Cup win for Imran Khan's men, who pulled up their socks after losing to West Indies, India, and South Africa. Ramiz Raja, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Javed Miandad, Imran Khan, Wasim Akram and Mushtaq Ahmed all played stellar roles as the side made a dramatic comeback from the brink of elimination. As many as 87,182 spectators turned up to watch Pakistan humbled England in the final at the MCG.
``For that game (final) at Melbourne, my biggest job as captain was to make sure my team did not freeze under the pressure. I remember, as the tournament reached its climax, that the players were being offered all sorts of advice whenever they met Pakistan supporters. This only increased their tension.
"As a result, I advised the players to relax in each other’s company and not to mingle with friends and supporters on the evening before the final against England. In addition, I also advised them to take a mild sleeping pill, because before a big match, it is extremely important to have a good night’s sleep. Most players, however, found there was too much adrenalin in their systems to get much sleep!’’ recalled Imran, many years later.
An enduring image of that World Cup is that of South African Jonty Rhodes 'flying' with the ball in hand to run out Inzamam.
