10 Iconic game-changing moments in Cricket World Cup history
Had the World Cup final of 1975 at Lord’s been a one-sided affair, I guess, the evolution of this mega event might have been halted. On that eventful day at Lord’s, cricket followers witnessed the dramatic nature of one-day cricket and it all happened due to some game-changing moments.Over the years, these game-changing moments have enriched the World Cup big time. Some of them had made us cry while some of them had given us enormous amount of joy.Let us have a look at some of the unforgettable game-changing moments in the history of ICC World Cup:
#10 Imran Khan\'s decision - Pakistan v New Zealand, Semi-final, World Cup 1992
New Zealand posted 262 for 7 in 50 overs against Pakistan in the first semi-final of World Cup 1992. Pakistan’s reply was not satisfactory enough and when Salim Malik was dismissed, they needed 123 more runs in 15 overs. Javed Miandad signalled towards the dressing room to send the left-handed batsman Wasim Akram instead of Inzamam-ul-Haq.
Wasim was a big hitter of the ball and was more experienced than the young Inzamam. Pakistan was in need of a quickfire knock and someone like Wasim Akram would have been the ideal choice.
But, the Pakistan captain Imran Khan sent Inzamam and he didn’t let his captain down. Inzamam played a swashbuckling knock of 60 from just 37 balls. That breezy knock had shifted the balance of the game towards Pakistan. The men in green went on to win the semi-final in style.