The 1990 Austral-Asia Cup final remains one of the most iconic moments in Pakistan's cricketing history, marked by the brilliance of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, two of the most lethal fast bowlers to ever play the game. This edition of the tournament was special not only because it represented Pakistan's defence of their title, but also due to the fierce competition they faced from an Australian team that was riding high on a streak of unbeaten matches. Pakistan’s eventual triumph in this match would be a testament to their grit, their depth in fast bowling, and their capacity to rise to the occasion in high-pressure situations.
Prelude to the Final: A Team in Form
The 1990
edition of the Austral-Asia Cup was an exciting build-up for Pakistan, who
entered the tournament as defending champions. Their journey to the final was
nothing short of spectacular, with a dominant run in the group stages, leading
them to the semi-finals in impressive fashion.
In the
semi-final, Pakistan faced New Zealand, a team that was often the bridesmaid,
never the bride, when it came to major tournament victories. Pakistan’s bowling
attack, spearheaded by Waqar Younis, was simply too much for the Kiwis to
handle. Waqar, in particular, was on a tear, claiming a remarkable five-wicket
haul as New Zealand was dismissed for just 74 runs. Waqar's performance raised
his wicket tally to 15 for the tournament, cementing his status as one of the
most feared fast bowlers in the world.
As
remarkable as Waqar's spell was, it was only the warm-up for what was to come
in the final. Pakistan’s fast bowlers had set the tone, and now the stage was
set for the grand spectacle that would unfold in the final against Australia.
The Final: A Battle of Titans
On the day
of the final, Imran Khan’s Pakistan faced an Australian team captained by the
indomitable Allan Border. Australia came into this final with an impeccable
record of ten straight victories, a streak that had earned them the title of
being one of the most dominant teams of the era. With Pakistan having won the
previous edition of the tournament, expectations were high for the defending
champions, but they were about to face an Australian side brimming with
confidence and talent.
Pakistan
won the toss and chose to bat, which seemed logical given the placid
nature of the wicket. The team’s opening batsman, Saeed Anwar, set the tone
early with a solid 40 runs off 36 balls. His technique and aggression allowed
Pakistan to get off to a decent start, but it was the middle-order contribution
of Saleem Malik that truly propelled the team forward. Malik, with his patient
87 off 114 balls, brought stability to the innings when Pakistan seemed to be
in danger of losing the plot. However, Carl Rackemann, the Australian fast
bowler, had other ideas. He picked up three crucial wickets, reducing Pakistan
to 179 for six, and suddenly the defending champions were staring at the
prospect of a below-par total.
Wasim Akram: The Unlikely Hero
As
Pakistan’s innings faltered, all hope seemed to rest on the broad shoulders of
Wasim Akram, one of the finest all-rounders the game had seen. Akram, who had
been a key figure in Pakistan's title-winning campaign in 1986, was expected to
be the one who would turn the tide. And he did so in spectacular fashion.
Wasim's 49
not out from just 35 balls was a match-changing knock that breathed new life
into Pakistan’s innings. His aggressive stroke play and calculated risks, along
with his unbroken partnership of 59 runs for the eighth wicket with Mushtaq
Ahmed, ensured that Pakistan would have a competitive total to defend. By the
time Pakistan’s innings closed at 266 for seven, Akram had not only ensured a
fighting total, but also given his bowlers something to bowl at—a challenging
but achievable target.
Australia’s Response: A Fight Back, But
Pressure Builds
Australia’s
chase began steadily, with openers David Boon and Mark Taylor putting on 62 for
the first wicket. The Australian batting lineup was strong, but Pakistan’s
bowlers were in no mood to relent. Waqar Younis, who had been in scintillating
form throughout the tournament, broke the partnership by dismissing Taylor, and
then made it two in two by sending Dean Jones back for a duck. In the space of
two overs, Australia found themselves at 64 for three, with Pakistan's bowlers
tightening their grip on the game.
Waqar's
deadly deliveries were followed by the spin wizardry of Mushtaq Ahmed. The
leg-spinner, known for his deceptive flight and sharp turns, ran through
Australia’s middle order. His intervention left Australia reeling at 207 for
seven, still requiring 59 runs for victory. The game seemed to be slipping away
from them, yet the determined pairing of wicketkeeper Ian Healy and lower-order
batsman Mervyn Hughes resisted. Their 23-run partnership for the eighth wicket
brought Australia to 230, just 33 runs away from victory
The Turning Point: Wasim Akram's Hat-trick
With the
pressure mounting and Australia’s hopes hanging by a thread, it was Wasim Akram
who once again rose to the occasion. Akram, who had earlier provided the
crucial runs with the bat, was brought back into the attack to finish the job
with the ball. What followed was nothing short of a masterclass in fast bowling.
In his
ninth over, Akram had Hughes caught behind, a superb delivery that left the
Australian wild-swinging and missing as the ball uprooted the stumps. The match
had taken another dramatic turn. Akram was just one wicket away from a
remarkable achievement—his second ODI hat-trick in six months.
The next
delivery saw Carl Rackemann, in the thick of the chase, undone by a peach of a
delivery from Akram. The ball pitched on a length and angled into the
right-hander, leaving Rackemann helpless as it breached his defence and
shattered the stumps.
Akram,
fired up and determined to close out the game, had his hat-trick delivery next.
He bowled a full-length delivery to Terry Alderman on leg stump, and the
Australian batsman, attempting to cut the ball, was unable to get his bat down
in time. The ball clattered into the stumps, and Wasim Akram had done it—he had
completed his second hat-trick in a matter of months, a feat that would further
elevate his status as one of the finest fast bowlers of all time.
Victory Secured: Pakistan Retain the Title
Akram’s
hat-trick sealed the deal for Pakistan. They had triumphed by 33 runs,
clinching their second consecutive Austral-Asia Cup title. The victory was a
testament to the strength of Pakistan’s fast bowling attack, the resilience of
their players, and the tactical acumen of Imran Khan as captain.
In the end,
it was the combination of Wasim Akram’s batting and bowling brilliance, Waqar
Younis’s fiery spells, and the collective effort of the entire team that
ensured Pakistan’s triumph. This final, with its twists and turns, became a
legendary chapter in the annals of Pakistan’s cricketing history and cemented
the 1990 Austral-Asia Cup as one of the most memorable tournaments in the
sport’s rich legacy.
Akram's
second ODI hat-trick, achieved in the same venue where he had made history
months earlier, was a fitting crowning moment to a victory highlighting
Pakistan’s immense talent and never-say-die attitude. The triumph would echo in
the hearts of cricket fans for years to come, as it epitomized the
unpredictability and drama that make the sport so enthralling.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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