You must have heard phrases like -- the history plays in loopholes or the history itself. And the same is happening in the ongoing Cricket WorldCup, which kick-started on May 30 in the United Kingdom.
Pakistan's current performance in the ongoing World Cup are refreshing cricket fans memories from the 1992 World Cup when Imran Khan-led Men-in-Green lifted the coveted trophy for the first time.
Pakistan were a depleted side in the 1992 World Cup, they did not even had a set number four batsman. Their players were sloppy in their field, there batting was not good, their bowlers were out of form.
And the same happened in happening in the current World Cup!
Three series defeat in last year by South Africa, Australia and England respectively and then getting thrashed by a side like Afghanistan in the Warm-up match? On top of that Pakistan were bowled out for 105 runs in their World Cup opener by West Indies. Everything was going wrong for Sarfraz Ahmed-led side.
But all of sudden, Pakistan turned everything around as they thrashed much-fancied England in their own den Trent Bridge by 14 runs.
The Pakistan side is often referred to as a predictably unpredictable unit. Because they often surprise people with their brilliance -- all of sudden. And after their stellar show against England, all the participating teams will be wary of their wrath in the following matches.
Where Pakistan goes from here, a batting collapse in the first match and then posting a mammoth total of 348 runs against England in the 2nd match?
Even in 1992, Pakistan's start was not great as they were handed a 10-wicket thrashing by the West Indies in the tournament opener. In fact, Imran Khan-led side won only 1 of their first 5 matches in the edition.
After the loss in their 1st match, Pakistan bounced back and defeated Zimbabwe by 53 runs. Pakistan's third match was washed out while they were handed a 43-run defeat by their arch-rivals India. Against South Africa, Pakistan lost by 20 runs.
But somehow they huffed and puffed their ways into the final of the mega event, where they outclassed England to lift their maiden title.
Whether the Sarfraz Ahmed-led side will be able to repeat 1992's heroics or not is yet to be seen.
But Critics, who had ruled Pakistan out in previous ICC Tournament, has learned an important lesson -- Never write off Pakistan's chances!
