"One video of Wasim Akram" that does so many things to your Cricketing soul![Courtesy of PTV Ad]
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| Some memories of Wasim Akram's SIX |
I was only 2 years old when Wasim Akram hit that SIX to clinch Nehru Cup 1989, sometimes I think what was this cricket freak doing being a 2-years old kid when Wasim hit that six. Many of you must have remembered that moment of Pakistan beating West Indies by 4 wickets at Eden Gardens, Calcutta(now Kolkatta).
I tried to find video of that moment but all I could find was a PTV's Ad for "No Smoking". This video doesn't rejoice you only being a Cricket fan but it will also take many of you in your childhood or in time when you were young. Its all about Wasim Akram running in Model Town Park(Lahore) and two lads there watching him and discussing his heroics, one of it was Wasim hitting a SIX to win Nehru Cup and other was his ODI hat-trick against Australia.
Pakistan were chasing target of 274 set by West Indies in final of Nehru Cup at Eden Gardens, where crowd of nearly 70,000 was present. Wasim Akram came to the wicket in the final over when Akram Raza was run out, Imran Khan took the single and made the target 3 runs of 2 balls with 4 wickets in hand. Wasim Akram, who was groomed under shadow of Imran Khan, perhaps only once disobeyed his mentor(Imran Khan) and that was in final of Nehru Cup. With 3 needed of 2 balls, Imran Khan(who was not out on 55) asked Wasim Akram to take single but Wasim Akram swung his bat to Viv Richards' delivery and sent the ball in stands of Eden Gardens. I wonder how ecstatic was Pakistan's nation at that time as Nehru Cup was kind of ICC Champions Trophy of modern era.
Its perhaps the best performance of Pakistan - WC 92 aside - which youngsters of this era have missed.
Watch this video from 0:50
Brief preview of Nehru Cup 1989:
1989 Nehru Cup(also known as MRF World Series) was organized by and played in India. It was like mini World Cup of that time. Six countries; Pakistan, West Indies, India, England, Australia and Srilanka, participated in that event. Pakistan beat England in Semi Final whereas West Indies beat India in Semi Final.
- Imran Khan was named man of the match in final as well as man of the tournament.
- Imran Khan scored 252 runs in 7 matches at average of 63, and also took 6 wickets in tournament.
- Wasim Akram took 9 wickets in 7 matches.
- Desmond Haynes(366) was leading runs scorer for tournament whereas Winston Benjamin(13) was leading wicket taker of tournament.
Written by, editor of this website, Mazher Arshad on 26/01/2011
