From the Vault : Cricket World Cup Greatest Match – Pakistan v England, 1992

The heart was torn out of England by a first World Cup title for Pakistan as Wasim Akram-inspired by Imran Khan’s order to fight like “cornered tigers”

For Imran and Javed Miandad, half-centuries had helped Pakistan post 249-6 in front of a full house on Melbourne Cricket Ground.

And although England recovered from a rocky start, Wasim created successive balls of inswing yorkers to eliminate Allan Lamb and Chris Lewis and effectively ensure England ‘s third World Cup final loss.

“When we got back to Lahore, a bus journey that would normally take 20 minutes took seven hours,” said Wasim.

“The streets were packed and we just crawled along. It’s something you dream of. I’ve never seen anything like that before and I don’t think I ever will again.”

England was the tournament’s best team. Pakistan has managed to scrape into the final. Pakistan batted first before 95,000 spectators at the MCG, in the first day / night final.

Some of Wasim Akram’s late hits took them to a strong total of 249. England regularly lost wickets in their third final in 4 tournaments, including talisman Ian Botham for a duck, as Pakistan and captain Imran Khan took the trophy by 22 runs.