Just before the match Pakistan received a major blow as Imran Khan, their captain, was ruled out of the contest with a shoulder injury. Javed Miandad 57 off 61 balls with 5 fours at a Strike Rate of 93.44 vs West Indies at MCG in 1992 Cricket World Cup.
Miandad Join Ramiz Raja at 97 for 2, in 30th over, as Pakistan was really struggling with the sluggish batting of Ramiz Raja and another batsman. Ramiz Raja scored 102Not out in 158 balls with the help of just four 4’s. But then, Javed Miandad was a special person.
The very sight of the stand-in captain walking out with that trademark nothing-is-wrong-with-the-world smile lifted the spirit of many a Pakistan fan. It was not a match-winning score, but certainly a competitive one. Miandad's innings were indeed very special in terms to consider the long boundary of MCG.
He played typical cheeky innings and took a few boundaries behind the wickets off Marshall and Ambrose's bowling. That was a treat to watch. Rameez and Miandad added 123 for the unbroken third wicket, taking 81 from the last 10 overs. Let's watch Miandad's innings
Iqbal Sikander, a leg-break bowler, and Wasim Haider, a fast-medium bowler, made their debuts in the match. In a month s time, they would write their names in the history of Pakistan cricket as their first world champions.
The umpires Steve Randell and Ian Robinson were confused. Hooper and Harper had bowled their overs so quickly that despite having Marshall, Ambrose, and Benjamin in the line-up, West Indies had managed to bowl their 50 overs half an hour before the stipulated time. Of course, only 12 boundaries and 2 wickets contributed to the over rate as well. Later on, Pakistan won the World Cup, while West Indies did not make it to the semi-final.
Wasim Haider (economy rate 4.15) and Sikander (4.20) played 7 matches between them in the World Cup. They claimed only 5 wickets between them but did excellent containing jobs whenever they got opportunities. Surprisingly, despite being World Champions and doing competent jobs, neither played any more international cricket.
Brief scores:
Pakistan 220 for 2 in 50 overs (Rameez Raja 102*, Javed Miandad 57*) lost to West Indies 221 for no loss in 46.5 overs (Desmond Haynes 93*, Brian Lara 88 retired hurt) by 10 wickets with 19 balls to spare.
