Hyderabad: On June 11, 1975, Pakistan and West Indies clashed with each other at Edgbaston in Birmingham. What a match that was! Till the last delivery was bowled, viewers' adrenaline was charged up. Chasing 267, West Indies (now Windies) were reduced to 99 for 5 wickets and then they slumped to 203 for 9. Even an idiot gambler won't put money on the Caribbeans at that point of the match. 64 to get with the last pair at crease and that too against the fancied Pakistan attack, that was comprised of bowlers like Sarfraz Nawaz, Asif Masood and Nasser Malik, West Indies' chance of a win looked impossible.
However, shattering all predictions the match turned out to be a cliffhanger.
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Yes, a miracle did happen in the middle as wicketkeeper Deryck Murray and number 11 batsman Andy Roberts put up a great fight. Their determination and tenacity produced one of the greatest victories of the World Cup.
With feared batsmen like Gordon Greenidge, Alvin Kallicharan, Rohan Kanhai, Vivian Richards and Clive Lloyd were back in the dressing room, Majid Khan-the Pakistan skipper- and his men had little doubts about a Pakistan victory. The only question that creeped in their mind was- when that glorious moment will come? Their question remained unanswered as their fear of a strong comeback of the mighty West Indies' proved true.
Majid Khan made a blunder by letting his main bowler Sarfraz Nawaz to finish his overs early in the match. When 6 was needed of the last over, Majid was left with no option but to pass the ball on to Wasim Raja. The match was over with two balls still to be bowled. Murray and Roberts played the innings of their life scoring unbeaten 61 and 24 respectively.
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Earlier, electing to bat after winning the toss, Pakistan put up a smart batting display and scored 266 for 7, courtesy to half-centuries from skipper Majid Khan, Mushtaq Mohammad and Wasim Raja. Pakistan batting was also aided by sloppy fielding of the West Indians with Alvin Kallicharan dropping two sitters.
While recollecting that moment, Deryck Murray said that all he feared was that whether or not Andy Roberts would be able to survive till the end, "As there were 16 overs still to be bowled, I remained optimistic," said Murray.
