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| 1992 ICC Cricket world cup |
The tournament was jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand and had all the trappings of a modern event-coloured clothing, white balls and black sightscreens. But Kepler Wesscls's South Africans were not amused because it also had a strange 'rain rule'. Rain halted South Africa's chase when they needed 22 to win off 13 balls against England in the semi-final. The target was revised to a ridiculous 21 off just one ball when the game resumed.
The tournament had a new format with a then record 39 matches. Nine teams played each other in the league phase, with the top four advancing to the semi-finals.
Pakistan's recovery from the brink to win the titel under inspirational skipper Imran Khan and New Zealand captain Martin Crowe's shrewd tactics of using off-spinner Dipak Patel in the early overs were among the highlights.
Pakistan were facing elimination after winning just one of their first five matehes. Imran's instructions to his team to fight like 'cornered tigers' produced results as his side won their last five matches.
Crowe defied conventions, giving the new ball to spinner Patel to surprise the opposition. New Zealand pulled off an upset in the tournament's opener when pated coneeded just 36 in 10 overs in his team's win over Australia. The in-form New Zeland kept playing impressively to move into the semi-final at Aucklend where they ran into an unpredictable Pakistan. They rode on Crowe's superb 91 to post a competitive 262-7.
Pakistan found a match-winner in young Inzamam-ul-Haq when the asking-rate was climbing. Imzamam, his captain's choice, announced his international cricket with a 37-ball 60 to help his team win.
Imran led from the front against England, top-scoring with 72 to help his side post 249-6. England then folundered against the leg-spin of Mushtap Ahmed, who removed Gooch, Graeme Hick and Dermont Reeve. Neil Fairbrother top-scored for England with 62 before Imran sparked celebrations in his team's camp by taking the last wicket.
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