If you’re a Pakistani fan, you’d be nostalgic or in case you’re not old enough, a bit emotional to say the last, because the last time the ICC Cricket World Cup was hosted by Australia and New Zealand, we all know which team triumphed. Team Pakistan came out on top in one of the greatest World Cup victories in cricket history after inflicting a 21 run defeat to runners up England who lost their 3rd World Cup final, making them the only team to have reached 3 finals of the grand competition, and never come out triumphant.
The 1992 story was near a fairy tale one for the Pakistani team and the fans. After the heartbreak of losing in three consecutive semi finals, Imran Khan’s troops, in the twilight of Kaptaan’s career, made a step further and came home after an empathic display at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, the same ground which will also host the final of the 2015 ICC Cricket World Cup.
Team Pakistan made it to the final once against in 1999, but that was surely one to forget. The team choked against a clinical Australian side, who bowled the men in green out for just 132, only to chase it down for a comfortable victory to win the title. Pakistan failed to go past the group stages of the 2003 and 2007 World Cups, and lost in heart breaking fashion in the semi-finals of the 2011 World Cup to arch rivals India. Despite of the recent World Cup woes, team Pakistan would be hoping for an encore of the 1992 World Cup in 2015, and there isn’t a single person in the world shall say it isn’t possible.
Let’s take a look at what the men in green have in store for them in next month’s ICC World Cup.
1st Match
Opponents: India
Venue: Adelaide Oval
Date: 15 February 2015
Time: Day/Night
Talk about fairy tale starts to a tournament. India vs Pakistan. Much to the disappointment and anxiety of the Pakistan fans, the men in green have never beaten the Indians in a World Cup competition. But according to many legends and experts, team Pakistan are very much capable of making history this time. The Indians having majority of their strength with the bat, and the Pakistanis with the bowl, only makes for the most thrilling and anticipated of India-Pakistan encounters ever.
2nd Match Opponents: West Indies Venue: Hagley Oval Date: 21 February 2015 Time:
Day The 10th match of next month’s World Cup would feature a contest between two of the most unpredictable cricket teams of all time. Pakistan will travel to the Hagley Oval in New Zealand to face 2 time former World Champions West Indies in a crunch contest. Both teams havent shown the best of forms in recent One Day Internationals, but that only adds to the uncertainty only and makes the build up to this green vs red encounter more exciting than ever.
3rd Match Opponents: Zimbabwe Venue: The Gabba, Bribane Date: 1 March 2015 Time: Day/Night
Zimbabwe have struggled to regain the fame and form they gained during the era of the Flower brothers. They face a tough test in the 23rd match of the 2015 World Cup with a battle scheduled against Pakistan at the Brisbane Cricket Ground. Although, one can should never under estimate the potential of the Zimbabwe side who beat Pakistan in an ODI series a few years back, one has to say, it should be a comfortable win for the men in green, keeping in mind their superiority in all departments against the men in orange
4th Match Opponents: UAE Venue: Mclean Park Date: 4 March 2015 Time: Day/Night
Just 3 days after an easy showdown with Zimbabwe, the men in green face another simple task, this time against the United Arab Emirates at Mclean Park, Napier, New Zealand. Should be an easy pair of wins for the Pakistani side against two weak non test playing nations.
5th Match Opponents: South Africa Venue: Eden Park, Auckland Date: 7 March 2015 Time: Day/Night
The 29th match of the World Cup would arguably be amongst the best of the entire tournament, and the game being scheduled in the latter stages of the group stage leaves us all thinking it might end up being a crucial decider. The South Africans are go into the World Cup as firm favorites for the titles. Although Pakistan will go into this game as underdogs, but the fact that the South Africans have never triumphed against them in World Cups can make for a mega “Green vs Green” battle. Which team, or rather which green do you think would emerge victorious in this massive fixture?
6th Match Opponents: Ireland Venue: Adelaide Oval Date: 15 March 2015 Time: Day/Night
Pakistan’s final game is against the side that knocked them out of the tournament in 2007, Ireland. Wth a 10 times more superior squad on paper, an easy win should be on the cards for the Pakistani men. This match might not look as big on paper as it should be, but it may end up being crucial with Pakistan requiring to up their run rate, in case things pan out extremely close in Pool B.
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