Unsung heroes in ODI World Cup victories
There are several instances to recount from the past when players didn’t get sufficient recognition for their humongous efforts in their team’s World Cup triumphs.
4. Mushtaq Ahmed - Pakistan, 1992
In 1992, Pakistan won their maiden and only ODI World Cup trophy under the leadership of Imran Khan. Javed Miandad and Wasim Akram did their job efficiently and became the heroes of the sensational title victory. Along with Akram, Mushtaq Ahmed also reinforced Pakistan’s bowling unit with his leg-break bowling.
Mushtaq scalped 16 wickets in eight innings of nine matches and ended up as the third-leading wicket-taker in the tournament. His best performance came against Australia in Perth, where he grabbed 3/41 figures and helped the Men in Green hammer the hosts comfortably by 48 runs.
Playing the final game against England at the iconic Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG), he assisted Akram and took 3/41 figures in his 10-over spell. Riding on the leggie’s bowling efforts along with that of Akram, Pakistan contained England on 227 and emerged victorious in the match to lift the trophy.
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