The 50 Over World Cup began after India’s first-ever World Cup victory in 1983. The overs were reduced from 60 to 50 overs in 1987, which was hosted in India and won by Australia who defeated England in the finals. After its inception, the cricket world saw numerous thrilling & best World Cup matches ever than before in history.
9 World Cups have been played so far in the 50 over format and these have produced some breath-taking and memorable matches in the World Cup history. An astonishing finish or an upset by the underdogs creates havoc and cements a spot in the memory of every cricket witness.
Here are the 8 Best Matches in 50 Over World Cup History –
1) Pakistan Vs England 1992 (Final)
This was the second world cup which was been played outside England in Australia. The final was hosted at MCG, Melbourne between England & Pakistan, where England were the favorites to lift their maiden World Cup trophy.
However, Pakistan’s young captain and one of the greatest fast bowlers in cricket history, Imran Khan spoiled their party. England was chasing a total of 249 set by Pakistan with the assistance of Imran Khan’s 72 and Javed Miandad’s 58.
England required 84 runs off 9 overs which seemed impossible with tortoise knocks from Neil Fairbrother and Imran Khan’s magnificent bowling. Pakistan went on to win the final by 22 runs against England.
2) Sri Lanka Vs Australia 1996 (Final)
Australia was appearing in their third World Cup final( 1975,1987 and 1996) but couldn’t cross the line even once. Arjun Ranatunga, Sri Lanka’s captain, won the toss and decided to bowl first.
Australia took off the innings with a flight as they scored 137 runs with a loss of only 1 wicket. However, the Sri Lankan spinner did the invincible to trap Australian batters and the scoreboard read 170/5. Only two Australian players managed to score big, Mark Taylor 72 & Ricky Ponting 45 against Sri Lanka which sailed Australia to a respectable total of 241.
The total wasn’t easy, nor was the chase going to be against an Australian bowling attack that had Glenn McGrath and Shane Warne in it. But Sri Lanka kept hold of their nerves to lift their maiden World Cup trophy.
3) Australia Vs South Africa 1999 (Semi-Final)
Australia defeated Pakistan in the World Cup final. Who knew Ricky Ponting will etch the history by winning three consecutive World Cups. But little do remember how Australia reached the 1999 World Cup final after a draw against South Africa in Semi-Final 2.
South Africa was chasing 213 runs and required 9 runs off the last over. Lance Klusener was well settled and scored two consecutive fours off the first two deliveries and it seemed South Africa will seal the match. However, Alan Donald on the fourth ball of the over run out of the crease for a quick single but Lance Klusener wasn’t interested which cost them the World Cup final spot as Alan Donald was run out by Gilchrist/Waugh/Fleming.
Australia advanced to the final even after a tie as they had defeated South Africa in the group stage match by 5 wickets. This match would surely be counted as one of the best World Cup matches for Australia in their history.
4) India Vs Pakistan 2003 (Group Stage)
This list cannot be complete without a match between the arch-rivals India and Pakistan. It was a headache to pick one match as the momentous match. But we finally kept hold of India Vs Pakistan’s 2003 group stage match which was won by India.
Saeed Anwar dominated India’s bowling attack to score a century and sail Pakistan to a winning total of 273. However, master blaster Sachin Tendulkar was better on the day to score 98 runs for India, as India remained undefeated against Pakistan in the World Cup.
The headline of the match was Shoaib Akhtar’s bowling who took the wicket of Sachin Tendulkar with fiery speed.
5) India vs Sri Lanka 2011 (Final)
“Dhoni Finishes off in style! India lifts the World Cup after 28 years!” These lines said by Ravi Shastri still gives every Indian fan goosebumps. India was the host of the tournament and was facing Sri Lanka in the finals.
India was chasing a total of 274 set by Sri Lanka, which seemed quite chaseable until Indian lost 2 quick wickets of Virendra Sehwag & Sachin Tendulkar. India was immediately put on the back foot and the young man Virat Kohli walked onto the field to build a small partnership with Gautam Gambhir until Virat Kohli was trapped by Dilshan in his bowling.
Then the unimaginable happened and Dhoni walked out to bat instead of in-form, player of the tournament Yuvraj Singh but this proved to be a masterstroke as Dhoni went to score 91runs along with Gautam Gambhir’s 97 to lift the World Cup trophy for India after 28 years. The history was etched on 2nd April 2011.
6) New Zealand vs South Africa 2015 (Semi-Final)
The semi-final between two teams New Zealand & South Africa who haven’t reached the finals of the World Cup were facing each other. The 2015 South Africa team was the strongest ever that had Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel, Imran Tahir, AB de Villiers, Faf Du Plessis, Hashim Amla, and many more. Yet, they couldn’t cross the line to reach the finals of the tournament.
South Africa set the total of 281 with AB de Villiers & Faf Du Plessis knock for New Zealand and eventually pulled off the game towards them after McCullum’s 26 balls 59 as NZ were down to 4 wickets for merely 149 runs.
Grant Elliot’s inning of 84(73balls) played the role of a spoiler for South Africa’s dream to play the finals as Elliot smashed Dale Steyn for a six in the final over to seal the spot for New Zealand in the final.
Each South African player was seen crying on the field after the defeat and true sportsmanship was shown by the New Zealand players who consolidated them.
7) New Zealand vs England 2019 (Final)
This final would surely go down in the history of the World Cup as an inordinate game of cricket. The home of cricket Lord’s ground was hosting its fifth World Cup final. The final was played between the 2015 World Cup runner’s up New Zealand and England.
Kane Williamson’s men posted a total of 241 for England. England seemed to lose the battle as they lost 4 wickets for merely 86 runs until the partnership between Ben Stokes & Jos Buttler raised their hopes. The eye-catching moment of the match was when a throw was deflected from Ben Stokes bat which went to add 4 runs to England and made the equation simpler.
Still, England could reach to 241 runs only. It was the first time a super over was played in the World Cup Final, followed by a draw in the super over. Then who won the trophy? England was adjourned as the winner of the World Cup 2019 based on boundary count and Eoin Morgan became the first & only England captain to win the World Cup trophy. It is one of the most memorable moments for England cricket.
This game was described as the finest ever in cricket history with lots of criticism for the boundary count rule, which eventually was changed after this incident and the ball deflection from Ben Stokes bat.
