And so, there have been two.
Cricket’s T20 World Cup, which began almost a month in the past, is all set for its grand finale: England versus Pakistan on the Melbourne Cricket Floor, Australia on Sunday.
However wait, have we seen this one earlier than? For individuals who are sufficiently old to recollect, sure, on the similar venue, 30 years in the past.
When Pakistan misplaced its first two video games of the Tremendous 12 stage, it was all however out of the match. Aside from profitable its remaining matches, Pakistan would wish divine assist in addition to one of many lower-ranked groups to beat powerhouses India or South Africa.
The Netherlands duly obliged.
Pakistan then beat Bangladesh and at the moment are one win away from the trophy.
Right here is why the match invokes déjà vu:
It began with Australia’s loss
Australia, co-hosts of the 1992 match, began as defending champions. They received the 1987 version and began the 1992 match as one of many favourites however misplaced the opening match to New Zealand and did not qualify for the semi-finals.
Quick-forward 30 years, Australia launched the defence of their T20 crown with a loss in opposition to New Zealand.
England’s win over South Asian opponents
England began its 1992 marketing campaign with a win over the Asian aspect India in Perth. This time, England confronted Afghanistan in the identical metropolis and the identical end result.
Pakistan’s poor begin and loss in opposition to India
However had been Pakistan, perennial sluggish starters. They started the 1992 marketing campaign with a 10-wicket loss to the West Indies, confronted India just a few days later and misplaced by 43 runs.
This time round, Pakistan misplaced once more to India, a final-ball defeat of their opening sport.
Saved by rain
In 1992, Pakistan had been enjoying their third match of the match, in opposition to England, and gave the impression to be going through defeat when rain got here to their rescue and the match ended, handing each groups some extent every. That one level edged Pakistan previous Australia within the desk and despatched them to the semi-finals.
Whereas rain didn’t have an effect on any of Pakistan’s matches, it did play a task in Pakistan’s last place on the desk. South Africa confronted Zimbabwe in a rain-affected match and had been marching in direction of a giant win when the skies opened and the match was referred to as off. A win would have introduced South Africa two factors and introduced them stage with Pakistan.
Depth 🆙 🔥
Getting ready for the Sunday finale 🏟️💪#WeHaveWeWill | #T20WorldCup pic.twitter.com/CiUUSMzfOA
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) November 11, 2022
Three on the trot
After three losses, a win and some extent from a rain-affected sport, Pakistan’s run within the round-robin stage of the 1992 match ended with three straight wins.
In 2022, after shedding the primary two video games, Pakistan hit reset and received their final three video games to bag six factors.
Final day miracle
Pakistan went into the ultimate day of the Tremendous 12 understanding that even a win wouldn’t be sufficient to ebook them a semifinal spot. They duly beat New Zealand to do their a part of the job after which waited for Australia to do the remainder in opposition to the West Indies, who had an opportunity of progressing with a win. However the West Indies misplaced and Pakistan clinched the final semi-final spot.
This yr, Pakistan needed to beat Bangladesh however, to qualify, wanted both Netherlands to beat South Africa (not doable, proper?) or Zimbabwe to stun India (once more, whaaat?). The Netherlands duly obliged and produced one of the gorgeous upsets in World Cup historical past by defeating South Africa.
Semi-final win over New Zealand
It was the primary time this occurred however each occasion has introduced the identical end result: Pakistan at all times defeats New Zealand in a Cricket World Cup semi-final. The development began in 1992 in Auckland, New Zealand when Pakistan received by 4 wickets to enter its first World Cup last.
The most recent semi-final assembly between the 2 sides has produced the identical end result: A win for Pakistan by seven wickets.
Within the different three cases, Pakistan defeated New Zealand within the semi-finals of the 1999 World Cup, the 2007 World T20 and the 2009 World T20.
Acquainted finalists
Lastly, as was the case in 1992, Pakistan and England will face off in a World Cup last on the MCG, however this time round, each groups have already received the title as soon as and can look so as to add a second one.
Bonus (and you’ll love this)
Pakistan’s late surge was aided by a younger attacking batsman born in March (1992: Inzamam-ul-Haq, 2022: Mohammad Haris).
Pakistan’s main wicket-takers up till the ultimate had been a left-arm pacer and leg-spinner (1992: Wasim Akram and Mushtaq Ahmed, 2022: Shaheen Shah Afridi and Shadab Khan).
England’s main wicket-taker was an all-rounder (1992: Ian Botham, 2022: Sam Curran).
