Best XI of the Asian World Cup winning sides

The inaugural edition of the World Cup took place back in 1975, but it was only since 1983 when the sub-continent teams started making the headlines. It was the very year when Kapil Dev’s India won the World Cup, beating Clive Lloyd’s West Indies.

Then in 1992, it was Pakistan’s turn to lay their hands on the prestigious trophy under the leadership of the stylish and enigmatic Imran Khan. In 1996, Sri Lanka, under Arjuna Ranatunga scripted glory, beating Australia in the finals. The last time when a sub-continent team won was India back in 2011.

Over those years, there were number of players, who shone in the tournaments. They were primary reasons behind their teams’ success. These names also helped their sides establish themselves as powerhouses in the cricket world.

In the article, let’s take a look at the best Asian World Cup winning XI: –

1. Sachin Tendulkar

Sachin Tendulkar went on to play six World Cups in his 24-year long career for Team India. But it was only in his last appearance when he managed to get his hands on the coveted trophy. Though he couldn’t flourish in the final against Sri Lanka, Sachin was arguably India’s standout batsman.

In nine matches, the Master Blaster churned out 482 runs at an average of 53.55. Moreover, he got a couple of centuries and a score in the 80s against Pakistan at the PCA Stadium in the semi-final. Tendulkar is currently the all-time leading run-scorer in World Cup cricket with 2,278 runs at 56.95.

2. Sanath Jayasuriya

Sanath Jayasuriya was someone, who changed the dynamics of batting in the mandatory field restrictions. He was one of the main reasons why Sri Lanka were able to get off to flying starts to dictate terms on the opposition. In six matches, he notched 221 runs at a strike-rate of 131.54.

He also scored a couple of half-centuries with a top score of 82. The southpaw is Lanka’s second-highest run-scorer in World Cups after Kumar Sangakkara. Jayasuriya was also the Islanders’ joint leading wicket-taker along with Muttiah Muralitharan. Both of them picked up seven wickets.

3. Ramiz Raja

Ramiz Raja, the cricketer turned commentator, was one of Pakistan’s prolific run-scorers in the 1992 World Cup. The right-hander mostly batted at the top of the order and didn’t flatter to deceive. In eight matches, he scored 349 runs at an average of 58.16 with a couple of centuries to his credit.

His top score of 119 came against New Zealand in Christchurch. His average of 58.16 was also right up there. His other ton was against the West Indies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Though he did play in the strike-rate around the mid-60s, Raja managed to keep the scoreboard ticking.

4. Aravinda de Silva  

Aravinda de Silva was Sri Lanka’s best bet with the bat by a country mile in the 1996 World Cup. The veteran was absolutely unstoppable in the mega event as he managed to score out 448 runs in six matches at a gigantic average of 89.60. His strike-rate of 107.69 was up there with the very best.

His knock of 145 off 115 against Kenya was the highest individual score by a Lankan batsman. He also ended the tournament as the third-highest run-getter after Tendulkar and Mark Waugh. With his slow off-breaks, De Silva was effective as well, having picked four wickets with best figures of 3/42.

5. Yuvraj Singh

Yuvraj Singh was the Player of the Tournament in the 2011 World Cup and deservingly so. Both with bat and ball, the Chandigarh-born was at his very best. Batting in the middle-order, Yuvraj racked up 362 runs at an average of 90.50. He top-scored against the West Indies with 113 runs at the Chepauk.

Moreover, the left-hander got four half-centuries to show for his efforts. With his slow left-arm orthodox, Yuvraj was India’s most proficient spinner. He ended up picking 15 wickets at an average of 5.02. He also bagged a five-wicket haul against Ireland at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore.

6. Javed Miandad

Javed Miandad was one of the Pakistan’s greatest batsmen and he didn’t do his reputation any harm in the 1992 World Cup. He was the Men in Green’s most consistent batsman in the event, scoring as many as five half-centuries in nine games apart from getting 437 runs at a decent average of 62.42.

Though he didn’t get a century, he played well enough to get his team to comfort during the matches. His top score of 89 off 94 came against Zimbabwe in Hobart. Even after 24 years since he last played a World Cup match, Miandad is Pakistan’s top-scorer with 1083 runs in 33 matches.

7. MS Dhoni (wk)

MS Dhoni didn’t have a great outing in the 2007 World Cup, but made amends in the next edition of the mega event. Until 2011, no team had managed to win the tournament at home. However, he changed the trend. In the final against Sri Lanka, he scored an unbeaten 91 and took his team to win.

Prior to that, MSD scored 150 runs in eight matches. In the last game, he promoted himself above an in-form Yuvraj and the move paid dividends. Overall, he made 241 runs at an average of 48.20. Dhoni was clean behind the stumps as well, taking seven catches and effecting three stumpings.

8. Kapil Dev (C)

Before the 1983 World Cup final against West Indies at the Lord’s Cricket Ground, every other odd was against India. But Kapil Dev had other ideas, leading India to their maiden WC triumph at the Home of Cricket. With the bat in hand, the Haryana Hurricane notched 303 runs at an average of 60.

Kapil played a match-winning knock of 175 not out against Zimbabwe with 16 fours and as many as six sixes. It came after India were reduced to 17 for five. He did his bit with the ball as well. He bowled 13 maidens, the most for his side in the event, and picked 12 wickets at an economy of 2.91.

9. Wasim Akram

Wasim Akram was among the rare breed of bowlers, who could swing the leather at sheer pace. And he managed to give his opponents plenty of headaches in the 1992 World Cup. Not only was Akram Pakistan’s most economical bowler in the tournament, he topped the wickets column as well.

In 10 matches, the left-arm seamer picked up 18 wickets with best figures of 4/32. He also had his moment with the bat, scoring 63 runs lower down the order with a top score of 33. Akram played in World Cups from 1987 to 2003 where he picked up 55 wickets in 38 encounters with best of 5/28.

10. Zaheer Khan

Zaheer Khan had a torrid time in the 2003 and 2007 World Cups. But in 2011, he was a developed individual and had become someone, who knew the art of holding nerves in critical situations. His experience showed as the pacer managed to pick up 44 wickets in 23 matches of the mega event.

Among the regular Indian bowlers, he had the best strike-rate of 23.2, suggesting his knack of picking up regular wickets. He also bowled the most maidens (four) for the Men in Blue. The fact that he got to generate reverse swing made him a lethal prospect. Overall, there was no stopping the speedster.

11. Mushtaq Ahmed

Mushtaq Ahmed, the wily leg-break bowler from Sahiwal, Punjab, was the second highest wicket taker for Pakistan in the 1992 World Cup after Wasim Akram. In conditions, not quite suitable for spin-bowling, the tweaker picked up 16 wickets in nine matches at an incredible economy of 3.98.

Mushtaq saved his best for the last. In the final against England at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground, the leggie dismissed the likes of Graham Gooch, Graham Hick to end with three wickets. His spell of 3/41 helped Pakistan bowl the Brits out for 222 and win the game at the MCG by 22 runs.