Final let-down (22 June 1999)

22 June 1999

Final let-down

Nizamuddin Ahmed at Lord's

June 21: A thoroughly professional Australia took the final by the scruff of the neck and stunned Pakistan by eight wickets to lift the cricket World Cup at the game's capital.

The Cup-decider was an anti-climax of the hype and build-up following the contrasting semi-finals. Pakistan had beaten New Zealand without any qualms while Australia drew with South Africa but made to the final because of a better Super Six performance.

Australian skipper Steve Waugh's prophecy came finally true. The tough modern-day captain had predicted after losing in a Group match to this very Pakistan that they needed only seven wins to lift the World Cup, and that he did from ICC president Jagmohan Dalmiya after Sunday's lopsided surprise.

The Australians outplayed their rivals in all departments of the game. In fact, the pre-match verbal bout between the two captains was about the most exciting occurrence centring the final. It was Australia from start to finish. There was never a more convincing win in a final.

Two terrific catches by the Waugh twins, the opening bowlers finding unusual bounce, the restoration of the Wizard of Oz Shane Warne and some tidy fielding was enough to compel Pakistan to finish with the ignominy of the lowest-ever total in the seven World Cup finals. Pakistan's paltry total of 132 came off 39 overs, the shortest innings in a final by any losing side.

Australia's match-winning 20.1 overs will go down as the all-time lowest, but for a completely different reason.

West Indies were all out for 140 when they lost the 1983 final to India at Lord's.

Australia were not going to let off Pakistan after having floored them in the morning session. A solid opening stand of 75 in 48 minutes between Mark Waugh and Adam Gilchrist set them on course. They were delighted when Darren Lehman hit the winning shot to give them a flattering, but a victory that was predictable since the early lunch.

Australia lost Gilchrist (54 off 36 balls) and Ricky Ponting (24 off 27), to record an emphatic win that seemed very improbable as the tournament reached it zenith.

Mark Waugh was unbeaten with a very responsible 37 that came from 52 deliveries. Lehmann was at the wicket with 13.

In the morning Wasim Akram was a relieved man to have won the toss, which most agreed was vital, after overnight rain. But there was no cash in then bank. Pakistan were immediately in trouble and lost wickets faster than at any time in the tournament. There was not one single decent stand; Mr. Sundries recording the highest score of 25. Ijaz Ahmed came a close second with 22.

Spin sorcerer Shane Warne, contemplating retirement from international cricket following attacks on him by a hostile press back home, took the man-of-the-match award with a strike of 4 for 33 in nine overs. He was almost unplayable on a wicket that proved unyielding for both Saqlain Mushtaq and Azhar Mahmood.

In the morning Wasim Akram was a relieved man to have won the toss, which most agreed was vital after overnight rain. And the fear that run-chasing has become in this tournament. But there was no cash in the bank.

Pakistan were immediately in trouble, losing uncomfortable Wajahatullah Wasti and semi-final's mercurial maestro Saeed Anwar, both for 21 runs.

Wasti was unfortunate to bring out the best in Mark Waugh at second slip.

The captain's brother flew to his right and held a magnificent two-handed catch. The sign was ominous for Wasim Akram.

Saeed Anwar could also blame misfortune as he found his wickets skittling after a bat-pad of an inside edge. But credit is due to Damien Fleming for a scintillating delivery.

That first wicket and the third wicket stand of 47 in 61 minutes between Abdul Razzaq (17 off 51) and Ijaz Ahmed were the only fort that Pakistan built on the day. Mr. Sundries came up tops as one would expect recording the highest score of 25. Ijaz Ahmed came a close second with 22.

No one could censure Razzaq for his dismissal. Steve Waugh, who had to roll over to maintain the momentum of his fall, plucked his reasonably good off-drive from between the grass.

There was a ripple in the crowd as 'Warnie' came on and he was soon in action. He found the stumps through Ijaz's gate, trapped Shahid Afridi leg-before and Moin Khan in his own game. His fourth victim was the Pakistan skipper himself who can take some solace from having hit the spinner for a six.

In between, Inzimam-ul-Haq was wronged by umpire David Shepherd for being declared caught behind when his bat had nothing to do with the ball. But, so vast was the difference between the two teams on the day that amending such errors would not possibly have mattered.

Australia's only miserable moment of the match came when the ever-so-reliable McGrath dropped Razzaq when the right-handed was on 14 and Pakistan on 58 for two. But, even such charity did not come to Pakistan's aid as they crumbled to bite dust.

Mark Waugh and Gilchrist did not waste time on arrival. Between them they hit eleven fours and, when the wicket-keeper departed to a fine Inzi catch at cover, Australia were more than half way through with enough overs left to play another match. Mark's unbeaten 37 needed four boundaries while Gilchrist had the lion's share.

The Australians were in a barraging mood and completed the captain's order - seven wins in seven matches - with the conviction of a true loyalist. They hit the Pakistanis all around the park and had nearly thirty overs to brag about.

Wasim and other Pak bowlers were expensive. The captain had a wicket and Saqlain had another. Wasim much-publicised protégé Shoaib Akhtar had none, 37 runs in four abused overs. If this was a match to test the pressure of the teams, Steve Waugh's men emerged superior. Pakistan, going home to disappointed millions, will have to find out how the South African lessons helped Australia to beat them. Pakistan, it seems learnt naught from New Zealand's win over the new champions of the world.

Source :: The Daily Star