ICC World Cup 2019: Pakistan goes the 1992 way

Pakistan team. (Photo Source: Twitter)

The famous line of “1992 main bhi aisa hua tha” has been making rounds since the early stages of World Cup 2019 as the current edition of the tournament is played in round-robin format same as it was in 92. As the tournament began, Pakistan’s progress in the competition was similar to that of their 1992 campaign. Coincidences between the two tournaments galore as Pakistan fans are hoping for a turnaround.

The current crop of players did put on a similar comeback during the Champions Trophy 2017. They won the title beating India in the final. After having received a heavy thumping in the league matches. Pakistan is surely in line to qualify for the semis this time with a couple of results going in their way. With games against Afghanistan and Bangladesh in hand, Pakistan team could fancy its chances of edging past the hosts England to finish in the final four.

Here are the coincidences between the 1992 and 2019 World Cups:

Pakistan’s similar results:

First seven-match results in 1992 CWC – Lost, Won, N/R, Lost, Lost, Won, Won.

First seven-match results in 2019 CWC – Lost, Won, Abon, Lost, Lost, Won, Won.

Pakistan campaigns in both editions began with a huge defeat against the West Indies. In 1992, Pakistan lost that game by ten wickets; their biggest CWC loss in terms of wickets while in 2019 it was by 218 balls; the biggest CWC defeat in terms of balls to spare. They won their 2nd games while batting first and the 3rd game was affected by rain both times forcing them to share points. Pakistan lost their 4th match by 43 runs in 1992 and by 42 runs this time.

In the 5th game in both editions, Pakistan were chasing a revised total as they lost by 20 runs in 1992 and by 89 runs in 2019. The 6th game was quite similar in both tournaments as they won by 48 runs in 1992 and by a 49-run margin in the ongoing tournament. Interestingly, Pakistan’s 7th match in both tournaments was won with 5 balls to spare. The defeats to India in both editions is unlikely to make a difference as Pakistan lost to their arch-rivals in five other editions as well.