ICC WC Reminiscence: Top 5 Moments from World Cup 1999

South Africa earning the chokers tag, the Ganguly-Dravid partnership and Shane Warne, the bowler of the knock-outs among the top moments as we look at the top 5 memorable moments from ICC World Cup 1999.

It has been 20 long years since the ICC World Cup 1999 took place, and it still is considered as one of the most competitive multi-nation tournaments ever held.

It was the World Cup where no team could be written off, and no team was considered as favorites going into the tournament.

The ICC World Cup 2019 is just around the corner, and our excitement level is already at its peak. To keep the excitement going, and to bring back fresh memories of memorable moments from the past, here’s our article on the top 5 memorable moments from ICC World Cup 1999.

ICC WORLD CUP 1999

Winners: Australia | Runners-up: Pakistan

Hosts: England and Wales, Scotland, Ireland and the Netherlands

Man of the Tournament: Lance Klusner

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#5: BANGLADESH’S HISTORIC WIN AGAINST PAKISTAN

One of the key moments of the 1999 World Cup as the underdogs, Bangladesh defeated the Runners-up of the tournament, Pakistan 

Going into the match, Pakistan were sure of a spot in the Super-six stage, and on the other hand, WC debutants, Bangladesh had already been eliminated. There wasn’t much at stake, and no one gave Bangladesh a chance against the eventual Runners-up, Pakistan.

Batting first, Bangladesh posted a decent 223, thanks to small contributions and a fighting 42 by Akram Khan. In reply, Pakistan got off to a terrible start reeling at 42/5 at the end of the 13^th over. Pakistan did try to consolidate, but the situation never improved, and Pakistan were eventually bundled out for 161.

Khaled Mahmud was awarded the man of the match for his brilliant 3-31 and useful 27 runs down the order. 

#4: ZIMBABWE HUMBLES INDIA AND SA

The Zimbabwe side of 1999 World Cup has to be one of the best sides the nation has ever fielded.

With fourth on the list, Zimbabwe defeating the heavyweights, India and SA has to be one of the most exciting moments of any World Cup. 

The first match against India was a close one as Zimbabwe humbled India by winning the encounter by just 3 runs.

Batting first, Zimbabwe scored 252 runs, courtesy of some solid knocks by the Flower brothers.

Chasing 253, India never got going as well as they would have liked. However, crucial knocks from Ajay Jadeja, Sadagopan Ramesh, Nayan Mongia and Robin Singh took the match down to the wire.

It looked as if India would get through, however, Henry Olanga’s 3 wickets in his final over helped Zimbabwe win the match by 3 runs.

10 days later, Zimbabwe punched above their weights again by defeating South Africa in a more comfortable manner.

Batting first, Zimbabwe scored a competitive 233, and in return bowled out the Proteas for 185. The clinical victory came on the back of a superb all-around performance by Neil Johnson. The all-rounder scored 76 runs and took 3 crucial wickets in Zimbabwe’s historic win.

#3: DRAVID AND GANGULY PUT UP A RECORD PARTNERSHIP

At number 3, we have one of the best partnerships by Team India in ODI cricket.

Two fairly inexperienced batsmen playing in their debut World Cup gave Sri Lanka a run for their money as they stitched a magnificent partnership of 318 runs.

The God of ‘Off Side’, Ganguly was at his usual best striking a flurry of boundaries through the off-side. While ‘The Wall’, Dravid, looked busy at the crease, punishing the bad balls without any mercy.

Dravid’s unfortunate run out on 145(129) ended the 318 run partnership. Ganguly, however, continued his rampage as he took India to a mammoth score of 373/6 in 50 overs.

India won the match by 157 runs as Sri Lanka were eventually bundled out for just 216 runs.

#2: SHANE WARNE, THE MAN OF KNOCKOUTS

Cometh the big match, cometh the man as Shane Warne saves his best for the last.

At number 2, we have the crucial performances in the knockouts by the leggie, who picked up 4 wickets apiece in both, the semis and the finals of the World Cup.

In the semi-final, Warne accounted for the wickets of Jack Kallis, Hensie Cronje, Herschelle Gibbs and Gary Kirsten. The most memorable wicket has to be of Gibbs, where Warne completely outfoxed the batsman.

That delivery could have well been a contender for ‘the ball of the century’ had he himself not bowled a similar delivery to Mike Gatting, half a dozen years ago.

The second 4-fer came in the finals as Shane Warne’s 4-33 rattled Pakistan’s middle-order. After being reduced to 68/3 at the end of 20 overs, Shane Warne didn’t let Pakistan build a partnership as his 4 important wickets helped bundle out Pakistan for a meager, 132 in 39 overs.

Australia chased the target comfortably as they won the match by 8 wickets. 

Shane Warne won the man of the match award on both occasions as Aussies registered their second World Cup win.

#1: THE DRAMATIC SEMI-FINAL BETWEEN SA AND AUSTRALIA

One of the most memorable World Cup moments of all time and the most memorable moment of ICC World Cup 1999 goes to the semi-final clash between the Aussies and the Proteas. Not only was the match full of excitement and drama, but it also gave South Africa the chokers’ tag.

Batting first, Aussies posted a below-par total of 213/10 in 49.2 overs. Michael Bevan and Steve Waugh scored half-centuries each.

Shaun Pollock (5/36) and Allan Donald (4/32) shared 9 wickets among them to restrict the mighty Aussies.

In reply, SA started off well, only to lose track in the middle. However, Jacques Kallis and Lance Klusener led the valiant fight back. In the end, It all came down to the last over as South Africa required just 9 runs to clinch a thrilling win.

Two boundaries by Klusener had all but sealed the fate for SA, until a brain fade run out shattered the dreams of the Proteas. South Africa earned the tag of chokers as Australia qualified for the finals on basis of a superior NRR.

So, these are the top 5 most memorable moments from ICC World Cup 1999.

Do watch this space for me. We would be covering the top ICC World Cup moments of other editions in future articles.

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