ICC World Cup History: 4 Best cameo knocks in the semi-finals

#3 Inzamam-ul-Haq – Pakistan Vs New Zealand, 1992

Inzamam ul Haq played the innings of his life in the semi-finals of World Cup 1992

The first semi-final of World Cup 1992 was played between Pakistan and New Zealand at Auckland. In World Cup 1992, Pakistan was very nearly knocked out of the tournament when they were all out for 74 against England.

England were 24 for 1 before heavens opened up to wash out the match. The one point that Pakistan got in that abandoned match at Adelaide enabled them to sneak through to the semi-finals.

In the semi-finals, New Zealand batted first and scored 262 for 7 in 50 overs. In reply, Pakistan were 140 for 4 in 35 overs when the relatively unknown Inzamam-ul-Haq walked out to join the veteran Javed Miandad. Pakistan needed 123 runs in 15 overs at an asking rate of 8.20 which was considered beyond reach those days.

Before this match, Inzamam had a poor World Cup with scores of 27,14,0,2,48,16,11 and 5. But Pakistan captain Imran Khan reposed faith in him.

Inzamam was up against New Zealand’s most successful bowler of the tournament, Chris Harris with 15 wickets. Before Inzamam’s arrival to the crease, Harris troubled all the Pakistani batsmen with his slow stuff and had accounted for Imran Khan's dismissal.

But Inzamam took on Harris to hit him for two fours and a six in an over. He was severe on off-spinner Dipak Patel too. Inzamam added 87 runs in 10 overs for the fifth wicket with Miandad. He reached his 50 off 31 balls. He blazed away to 60 in 37 balls with seven fours and one six. His cameo was instrumental in Pakistan reaching the final in World Cup 1992, and winning the tournament thereafter.