Dubai: The 1992 Benson & Hedges World Cup was jointly hosted by Australia and New Zealand and it saw South Africa enter the fold for the first time following the end of apartheid.
New innovations saw coloured clothing with names on the back, floodlights and two white balls used, one at each end. The fielding rules were refined, allowing only two men outside the ring in the first 15 overs — and the tournament also saw the birth of the pinch-hitting role.
Holders Australia buckled under the pressure of expectation in front of their home crowd in the first game as they lost to New Zealand by 37 runs. Martin Crowe was the star, scoring a brilliant unbeaten 100.
In Australia’s next outing against England at Sydney, Ian Botham stole the show first with the ball (4-31) and then made an unbeaten 53 as England won by eight wickets.
Pakistan started dreadfully, losing to West Indies by 10 wickets, and were almost on the was back home, but rain came to their rescue at Adelaide after England bowled them out for a paltry 74.
Imran Khan then showed his leadership skills and his strong words of encouragement made the Pakistan team believe they could win.
South Africa were also the victims of rain as their final hopes were dashed in bizarre fashion. They needed 22 off 13 balls to beat England when it started raining. When they came back, the SCG scoreboard and the TV coverage incorrectly said the Proteas needed 22 off seven balls, but it was changed to 22 off one ball and they suffered an unfair end to their campaign.
Pakistan then successfully chased down New Zealand’s total of 262, with the little-known Inzamam-ul-Haq impressing with 60 off 37 balls.
Pakistan, having made it to the summit clash, battling all the odds, were on fire in the final, while England lacked punch.
Derek Pringle (3-22) removed the openers, but Imran, promoting himself up the order, scored 72 and Miandad supported him with a vital 58. Late flourishes from Inzamam (42 off 35 balls) and Wasim Akram (33 off 18 balls) took Pakistan to a total of 249.
England’s run chase was dented after losing Botham for a duck. After being four down for 69, Neil Fairbrother (62) and Allan Lamb (31) launched a recovery. However, Wasim bowled Lamb and Chris Lewis with consecutive deliveries and Pakistan went on to win by 22 runs.
