The World Cup is all about absorbing pressure and invariably it is the big-game temperament which separates the champion players from the lesser ones at the business end of the competition. The past editions of the tournament have witnessed some individual performances which had a huge impact on the outcome of the knockout games. Onmanorama picks five such memorable cameos in World Cup history.
Inzamam-ul-Haq (60 vs New Zealand – 1992 semifinals)
Imran Khan had handpicked Inzamam-ul-Haq ahead of the 1992 World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. He had done little of note till his heroics in the semifinal against the Kiwis at the Eden Park in Auckland. Chasing a stiff target of 263, Pakistan were huffing and puffing when Inzamam waded into the Kiwi bowlers. His whirlwind 60 off 37 balls put the chase back on track and the wily old fox Javed Miandad (57 not out) took them home as Pakistan entered the World Cup final for the first time. Inzamam’s blistering knock contained seven fours and a six and the youngster from Multan announced his arrival on the big stage in style.
Wasim Akram (33 vs England – 1992 final)
Wasim Akram was easily one of the most naturally gifted cricketers ever to play the game. If the Sultan of Swing was feared for his pace bowling, Akram could be dangerous with his big-hitting down the order as England found out in the 1992 World Cup final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The English bowlers had kept Pakistan in check for most part before Akram and Inzamam (42) cut loose in the slog overs. The two added 52 for the fifth wicket to take Pakistan to a challenging total of 249/6 in their 50 overs. Akram, who smashed 33 off 18 balls, was not done with as he claimed 3/49 to play a vital role in Pakistan’s triumph.
Ajay Jadeja (45 vs Pakistan – 1996 quarterfinals)
Ajay Jadeja’s 45 off 25 balls in the 1996 World Cup quarterfinal is part of the Indo-Pak cricketing folklore. Jadeja took Pakistan pace spearhead Waqar Younis to the cleaners as India posted a big total of 287/8 at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. Jadeja’s breezy knock contained four fours and two sixes, while Waqar, who gave away 40 runs in his final two overs, ended up with figures of 2/67. India won the match by a comfortable margin of 39 runs to enter the semifinals where they were stopped by Arjuna Ranatunga’s Sri Lanka.
Virender Sehwag (38 vs Pakistan – 2011 semifinals)
Virender Sehwag may have scored only 38, but his onslaught on Pakistan’s premier fast bowler Umar Gul had a huge impact on the outcome of the 2011 World Cup semifinal at Mohali. Gul was in red-hot form coming into the game, but Sehwag seized the initiative by smashing him for five boundaries in his second over. Sehwag’s 25-ball knock, which contained nine hits to the fence, was cut short by Wahab Riaz, but his early attack dented the morale of Gul who lost his control even in the slog overs. Gul went for 69 off eight overs and failed to pick up a single wicket. India won a rather nervy game by 29 runs to march into the final where they outplayed Sri Lanka to regain the World Cup after 28 long years.
Sanath Jayasuriya (82 vs England – 1996 quarterfinals)
Sri Lanka reigned supreme in the 1996 World Cup and Sanath Jayasuriya was one of the standout players for the islanders. The Motera Marauder formed a lethal opening partnership along with the diminutive Romesh Kaluwitharana. The left-hander was simply unstoppable in the quarterfinal against England at Faisalabad. Chasing a rather modest target of 236, Jayasuriya ended the contest in quick time as his 82 off just 44 balls knocked the stuffing out of the English. His blitzkrieg featured 13 fours and three sixes. Lanka were home and dry with more than nine overs to spare despite a sedate unbeaten 19 off 50 balls by Hashan Tillakaratne and it had a lot to do with Jayasuriya's pyrotechnics at the top of the order.
