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. NOTTINGHAM, ENGLAND – JUNE 03: Wahab Riaz of Pakistan celebrates the wicket of Jonny Bairstow of England during the Group Stage match of the ICC Cricket World Cup 2019 between Pakistan and England at Trent Bridge on June 03, 2019 in Nottingham, England. (Photo by Laurence Griffiths/Getty Images) 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. The 6th match factor: Haris Sohail. (Photo by Francois Nel/Getty Images) The 6th match for Pakistan was crucial in both editions. Imran Khan turned up with a cornered tigers T-shirt at the toss to improve the spirit in the team. In 2019, Pakistan faced excessive criticism from fans, former cricketers and experts. They elected to bat first like in 1992 and posted a solid total as a left-handed batsman named Sohail was the top-scorer. Aamer Sohail scored 76 and stood was the player of the match while it was Haris Sohail‘s turn this time as he contributed 89 runs and also won the Man of the Match award. The margin of results in both occasions was neck to neck as Pakistan edged past Australia in 1992 by 48 runs while in 2019 they got the better of South Africa with a 49-run win. Defeating an unbeaten team: New Zealand team. (Photo Source: Twitter) In 1992, Pakistan faced New Zealand in their 8th match in a do-or-die situation. The Kiwis were unbeaten till that moment back then. Interestingly, their clash against the Blackcaps in 2019 happened to be the 7th game and the Kane Williamson-led side hadn’t lost once. Pakistan won back then as Rameez Raja scored an unbeaten century in the chase while it was Babar Azam’s turn this time. New Zealand used as many as nine bowlers in the 1992 game and eight bowlers in 2019 against Pakistan. Pakistan won their game against the Kiwis in 1992 by 7 wickets while it was by 6 wickets this time around. If not for Haris Sohail’s run out with two runs to get, Pakistan could have had similar results against New Zealand in the league phase. However, they finished the chase in 49.1 overs just like they did in the 7th match in 1992 against Sri Lanka. During that game, Inzamam-ul-Haq was run out when Pakistan needed nine more runs to win like in the case of Haris this time. Another notable mention is that Rod Latham scored 6 runs in 1992 for the Kiwis. His son, Tom Latham, who was born in 1992, was the national team’s keeper and contributed 1 run to the team’s total in 2019. The outside world and other coincidences: Imran Khan. (Photo Source: Twitter) Pakistan won the 1992 World Cup after India won in 1983 and Australia in 1987. Coming into the 2019 World Cup, India in 2011 and Australia in 2015 are the two recent winners. The current Pakistan squad includes Imam-ul-Haq, nephew of the 1992 edition winner Inzamam-ul-Haq. Both of them had a quiet tournament to start with Imam has scored just 169 runs thus far across six innings with a fifty. Inzamam scored only 118 runs after seven games with the best score of 48. The 1992 winning captain Imran Khan is current Prime Minister of Pakistan. Earlier in May, a film named Aladdin released. The movie was live action adaption of the animated movie with the same name which was released in 1992. Former President of Pakistan, Asif Ali Zardari was in Jail during 1992 and is in Jail at present as well.

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ICC World Cup 2019: Pakistan goes the 1992 way

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

The outside world and other coincidences:

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