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Who would have predicted that: Pakistan's Asif Mujtaba carts Steve Waugh for last-ball six in 1992-93 Benson & Hedges World Series

by Alastair Symondson & Cricket World Friday 17 July 2020

Australia's Mark Waugh, Steve Waugh, and Shane Warne

©Reuters

In our feature series - Who would have predicted that? – we are looking back at matches where there were big upsets or extraordinary individual performances that turned matches on their head.

Pakistan and West Indies were in Australia in 1992-93 to participate in a tri-series called the Benson and Hedges World Series. In the 4th match of the competition, it was down to the duel between Asif Mujtaba and Steve Waugh, with 17 required for Pakistan to win off the last over.

Match Summary

Australia 228/7 (50 overs) - Dean Jones 53 (73), Mark Taylor 46 (107), Aaqib Javed ; 2/35 (10), Waqar Younis 1/43 (9)

Pakistan 228/9 (50 overs) - Saleem Malik 64 (99), Asif Mujtaba* 56 (51); Craig McDermott 4/42 (10), Mike Whitney 1/29 (10)

Result - Match tied

Mark Taylor, who was captaining Australia, got his team to a good start, scoring 46. He was a bit slow to get off the blocks and took as many as 107 deliveries. The skipper hit just one boundary during his stay at the crease, batting at a strike rate of 42.99.

Dean Jones was their top scorer with 53 runs off 73 deliveries but was run out. 20s from Ian Healey and Paul Reiffel helped Australia to 228/7 from their 50 overs.

Aaqib Javed was Pakistan's top wicket taker with figures of 2/35. Waqar Younis and Mushtaq Ahmed also chipped in with one wicket each but Australia's downfall came due to their misunderstanding in running between the wickets as three of their batsmen were run out.

Fall of wickets: 1-32 (David Boon), 2-124 (Mark Taylor), 3-138 (Dean Jones), 4-164 (Mark Waugh), 5-172 (Steve Waugh), 6-179 (Damien Martyn), 7-217 (Ian Healy)

Chasing the total, Pakistan were in trouble when they were reduced to 197/7. Saleem Malik did score 64 off 99 balls but once he was dismissed, things were not looking bright for Pakistan.

Asif Mujtaba, who was famous for his finishing ability, was at the crease with 17 required off the final over. Taylor threw the ball to Steve Waugh who had made a reputation for himself to keep his cool during the last overs with his heroics in and since the 1987 World Cup.

However, Mujtaba hit him all around the Bellerive Oval in Hobart that day and struck a fierce six off the last delivery to tie the match.

Fall of wickets: 1-6 (Aamer Sohail), 2-10 (Ramiz Raja), 3-41 (Javed Miandad), 4-91 (Inzamam-ul-Haq), 5-123 (Saleem Malik), 6-129 (Wasim Akram), 7-197 (Rashid Latif), 8-207 (Waqar Younis), 9-212 (Mushtaq Ahmed)

Teams

Australia - Mark Taylor (c), David Boon, Dean Jones, Steve Waugh, Mark Waugh, Damien Martyn, Ian Healy (wk), Paul Reiffel, Craig McDermott, Tim May, Mike Whitney

Pakistan - Aamer Sohail, Ramiz Raja, Saleem Malik, Javed Miandad (c), Inzamam-ul-Haq, Asif Mujtaba, Wasim Akram, Rashid Latif (wk), Waqar Younis, Mushtaq Ahmed, Aaqib Javed