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Billions of viewers around the globe watch the Cricket World Cup among other major sports competitions. There is a lot of magic that happened since its creation in 1975 World Cup will live forever in cricket history which amazed spectators. As per latest news about cricket, here are 10 of the most memorable moments from past World Cups:
After just three matches at the 1983 World Cup in England, hosts India found themselves reeling on 17-5 chasing a total of 261 against the tiny Zimbabwe. Nevertheless, all-rounder Kapil Dev had other plans. India secured victory in a very unlikely way when he made 175 not out from 138 balls and had sixteen fours and six sixes in the process. Kapil Dev's performance gave India their very first World Cup title, this is regarded as one of the best individual World Cup performances ever seen.
The first ever cricket World Cup final was between the two teams in 1975 at Lord's, the inaugural 1975 World Cup final match between Australia and West Indies. In the game, Australia won the toss and elected to bat making 247/6 with Ian Chappell top-scoring with 75. Reply, West Indies was coasting on 193 for 2 when they lost their final eight wickets for only 30 runs to be all out for 232.
Two years later Old Trafford again hosted the clash between these two giants in the final in 1979. In this instance, West Indies managed 286 for 9 which was spearheaded by Viv Richards scoring 138. In spite of Allan Border who was unbeaten with 102, the Australian team was bowled out at 235. He bagged the man-of-the-match award in both matches as West Indies became the first team to retain the World Cup trophy.
The semi-final was contested between the home side Pakistan and England at Lahore during the 1987 World Cup with the latter dismissing them for 74. Australia, in its pursuit of the mere 175 runs needed for victory, was reduced to 17 3 as Allan Border went on his rescue mission scoring a majestic 68 off 75 deliveries. Border, though getting his wickets fall down around him; took Australia to an epic 5-wicket victory with 4 overs left in their hand. Through this, he gave inspiration to Australia in her lifting for the first time of an ever World Cup, which also firmly confirmed him as one of the best captains in the history of cricket.
Pakistan were battling for survival on 64 for 4 when they found themselves chasing a total of 262 from New Zealand. In walked into Inzamam-ul-Haq who scored 60 off 60 balls as Pakistan reached the winning target. He had four fours and two sixes during his innings. He was voted as the man of the match. Subsequently, Pakistan beat England and claimed their first-ever World Cup championship title. The innings with which Inzamam was quick-firing his batting is ranked among the very best World Cup match-winning innings.
During the 1939 World Cup semi-final played in Taunton, South Africans had to make 254 runs against the best West Indians. They demanded more than 13 runs per over, having left 5 wickets. In fact, Lance Klusener blasted an unbeaten 81 runs off 49 balls as South Africa chased down their target of 260 in the last bowl. He was awarded the man of the match for his brutal hitting, which is one of the most exciting World Cup knocks ever recorded.
As per recent cricket news, one of the best ODI games of all time was the 2003 World Cup Super Six played at Port Elizabeth between Australia and South Africa. South Africa required 6 runs off the last over with only 1 wicket still standing as they chased an Australian score of 213. It was even more dramatic as Australian bowler Damian Fleming bowled the last over with a runout and a wide to tie the game up. This cliffhanger of a game ended with another tie, but was considered one of the best World Cup finishes ever.
Pakistan was facing rough waters as they were 17-3 in the chase of India's 271. He scored 60 off seventy balls and paved the path for another magnificent win against his side. He had four fours and two sixers during his innings which gave him a fourth Man of the Match award. Inzamam knows how to perform magic on the field, especially when he plays in World Cup knockout matches.
One of the most memorable finishes in cricket history was witnessed in Lord's during the 1999 World Cup final between Australia against Pakistan. As they chased Pakistan's total of 249, Australia had 13 deliveries to score their remaining 22 runs and only one wicket left. It was Australia's turn as Australia scored a total of 15 runs off the first five deliveries before Shaun Tait got run out in the sixth delivery. Australia won by only two runs in the last World Cup when the decision was taken via the Duckworth-Lewis method.
In the pool matches of the 2007 ICC World Cup, India versus England; Durban Yuvraj, an all-rounder, demolished England's left arm, Stuart Broad with six back-to-back sixes in a single over! He slammed a 12-ball fifty of 58 runs as India posted an incredible score of 318. In doing so he only became third behind Herschelle Gibbs and Garfield Sobers to accomplish such a feat in International over. Pyrotechnics made him a World Man of the match and one of the most exciting World Cup moments.
One of the most spectacular endings in cricket took place at Mohali during the semifinals of the 2011 World Cup between Indo-Pak rivals. Pakistan required 13 runs with just a single wicket remaining with which it had to chase down India's total of 260. In the first ball, Wahab Riaz hit a four and then, he followed them with another four in the second and was caught run out of the third. India kept itself afloat with only 4 runs required in 3 deliveries and won by a mere 29 runs. This is a tension-filled epic battle that is unique in World Cup history.
As per world cricket news, these are 10 moments that many people will never forget following past Cricket World Cups. The quadrennial tournament brings more magical moments that engrave their names into cricket folklore. Cricketers spell another spine-tingling drama and magic that fans wait for the next World Cup.
