After 17 years, Nasser Hussain still reeling from NatWest Final nightmares

When England posted 325 for the loss of five wickets in their 50 overs, India well and truly had their backs to the wall in the 2002 NatWest tri-nation ODI series Final at the Lord’s Cricket Ground in London. Marcus Trescothick and Nasser Hussain racked up 109 and 115 respectively to help the Three Lions to a colossal score that seemed to be a match-winning one after the first half.

During the run-chase, Sourav Ganguly and Virender Sehwag took the English bowling by the scruff of its neck and notched an opening-wicket stand of 106 runs off 87 deliveries. However, in the next 9.3 overs, the Men in Blue lost five wickets and could only manage 40 runs in that period. Most importantly, from a commanding position, they found themselves straining at 146/5 in 24 overs.

Kaif and Yuvraj pulverise England

With 180 runs needed off the last 26 overs, the Brits looked like running away with the match far too comfortably. Nevertheless, Yuvraj Singh and Mohammad Kaif had other ideas. The two youngsters weathered the storm and put on a stand of 121 runs to bring India right back into the contest. Yuvraj got out to Paul Collingwood after scoring 69 vital runs with nine fours and a six.

But Kaif made sure that he remained unbeaten on 87 off 75 and see the Men in Blue over the finishing line with three balls to spare. In the meantime, even after 17 years, Hussain, the then English skipper, gets nightmare about that game. Recently, Kaif posted a picture along with Yuvraj at the Lord’s and reminisced about the memorable contest.

Kaif, who retired from all forms of cricketer last year, took to Twitter and posted a picture with Yuvi. Captioning the photo, he wished Virat Kohli and Team India for the World Cup. “17 years later, together at Lord’s with @YUVSTRONG12 !Wishing Team India all the very best and hoping Virat Kohli and his boys receive the World Cup here on July 14,” the tweet read.

17 years later , together at Lord’s with @YUVSTRONG12 !Wishing Team India all the very best and hoping Virat Kohli and his boys receive the World Cup here on July 14. pic.twitter.com/4pp8bbyQy0

— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) May 24, 2019

Hussain replied to Kaif and talked about the horrors, surrounding the duo that had robbed England off the Natwest Final. He replied and wrote, “Not the photo you want to wake up to !! Still have nightmares about these two .. @MohammadKaif @YUVSTRONG12 #natwestfinal,”

Here is Hussain’s reply

Not the photo you want to wake up to !! Still have nightmares about these two ..@MohammadKaif @YUVSTRONG12 #natwestfinal https://t.co/phyDNdUTxX

— Nasser Hussain (@nassercricket) May 24, 2019