Beginning of Aussie Era

They were in the same group and Pakistan finished as the top of the group followed by Australia. Pakistan actually beat Australia by 10 runs during their group encounter and their only loss came against Bangladesh, one of the most controversial upsets in the World Cup history. For Australia, they also lost a match against New Zealand. By the super six stage, the Australians were pumped and playing wonderful cricket. They won all their matches in super six against India, Zimbabwe, and South Africa. However Pakistan lost their match against India in the super six stage, a high voltage match at Old Trafford, Manchester in the backdrop of the Kargil War between the two countries.

Before the final, both the teams were more or less equal and people expected a close match. Pakistan won the toss and as was the norm in case of big finals decided to bat first. Australian bowlers bowled brilliantly and their fielders backed the bowlers perfectly. Pakistan’s first wicket was Wajahatullah Wasti whose nick was grabbed by Mark Waugh after a full-length dive at the second slip. This set the tone and Pakistan kept losing wickets regularly. No batsmen could score more than Ijaz Ahmed’s 22 as Shane Warne delivered another match-winning performance with 4/ 33 in nine overs. The rest of the six wickets were shared between the seam bowlers McGrath (2/13), Fleming (1/30), Reiffel (1/29) and Moody (2/17).

All the hopes were on Wasim Akram and Shoaib Akhtar. After a good first over from Akram, Akhtar came and fell after delivering his first delivery. It was not a good start for Pakistan and as Adam Gilchrist started hitting around the park, it was an easy chase for Australia. Gilchrist scored a fifty, Mark Waugh remained unbeaten on 37. Akhtar’s four overs went for 37 runs and Australia completed the chase on the first ball of the 21st over when Darren Lehmann’s square cut went for the boundary.

This was Australia’s second World Cup title and started an era of utter dominance