Pakistan Players Who Deserved Winning The World Cup
Unpredictability is the right word associated with Pakistan. The team has always competed fiercely in the ODI World Cups. There has not been a single edition where they have been written off. Pakistan didn’t end up losing to the West Indies at home in the 80s when the Windies destroyed teams left, right, and center. There is an argument that a team of such potential should have won more than 1 World Cup. But that is the beauty and unpredictable nature of the side. Let us look at details on Pakistan Players Who Deserved Winning The World Cup.
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The glory:
Imran Khan’s Pakistan was staring down the barrel in the 1992 World Cup. They lost to arch-rivals Pakistan and were shot out for 74 against England. But rain intervention ensured that Pakistan got one point. They would have been knocked out if not for that natural phenomenon. Khan called his team ‘The Cornered Tigers’. His inspirational leadership brought out the best in the players. Pakistan defeated England in the finals to win the 1992 World Cup. It remains their only ODI World Cup crown so far.
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We look at Pakistani players who deserved to win the World Cup:
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#3 Saqlain Mushtaq
He brought the art of finger spin to the forefront in ODI cricket. Saqlain Mushtaq was ahead of the pack during his heydays. He even picked up a hat trick in the 1999 ODI World Cup. The off-spinner was the first one to bring the concept of the other one. He was someone who could bowl during any phase of the game.
Saqlain was at his peak during the 1999 ODI World Cup. None of the batters except for Lance Klusener could get a hold of him. He picked up 288 wickets in just 169 wickets at an average of 21.8. Saqlain deserved to win the World Cup purely on the basis of keeping the finger spinner ahead in this format.
#2 Waqar Younis
There was no better sight in ODI cricket than to watch Waqar Younis in full flow. He was someone who mastered the art of reverse swing in the 1990s. Waqar missed out on World Cup glory in 1992 owing to an injury. He had a tournament to forget in 1996 when Ajay Jadeja took him to the cleaners.
Pakistan came within touching distance in 1999 but lost to Australia in a one-sided final. Pakistan failed to even make it to the Super Six in 2003. For someone who picked up 416 wickets in 262 games at an average of 23.8 in ODIs, he sure deserved a World Cup medal.
#1 Shahid Afridi
He forever remained an enigma for cricket lovers. Shahid Afridi though was a cultural icon for Pakistani fans. He held the record for the fastest ODI hundred for the longest time. Afridi became a full-time bowler in the later years of his career. He was a genuine allrounder capable of changing the game from any position.
Afridi amassed 8,064 runs at a strike rate of 117 over 398 ODIs. he picked up 395 wickets comprising 5 five-wicket hauls. A player of that stature surely could have done with an ODI World Cup trophy.
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