Five unbelievable coincidences between 20-20 World Cup 2022 and 1992 World Cup

As we move on to the latter stages of the eighth edition of the 20-20 World Cup 2022, it is clear the winner of the tournament will be lifting the coveted trophy for the second time. The four teams that marched past the Super 12 stages for the semifinals are England, India, New Zealand and Pakistan, with the Kiwis being the first of the four teams to concede in the knockout stages.

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The rest of the three teams have all won the World Cup title in the past - India in 2007 in South Africa, Pakistan in 2009 in England, and England in the West Indies. And it is a great opportunity for these teams to repeat history and take the trophy back home. Speaking of history repeating itself, it is quite intriguing that there are a few uncanny, and probably unnoticed, coincidences between the 1992 50-over World Cup and the 2022 World Cup.

Here are some of them:

1. Australia, the defending champions

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Australia cricket team, 1987. (Source: Twitter)

As in 1992, Australia came into the 20-20 World Cup 2022 as the defending champions. Also, in 1987, it was the Aussies’ maiden 50-over World Cup title, led by Allan Border. And in the 20-20 World Cup 2021, it was Aaron Finch’s men that won Australia their maiden 20-20 World Cup. And it will make things interesting if Pakistan win the World Cup this time as they did in 1992.

2. Rain playing spoilsport for South Africa

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England vs South Africa,1992 World Cup. (Source: Twitter)

In 1992, it was the infamous semifinal between South Africa and England that had an abrupt, or a rather bitter and unjust ending due to rain. It was also due to the fact that there was no logical formula in play that could decide a winner as there is today with the DLS method. This, cruelly, ended South Africa’s campaign in 1992 with England marching onto the final. 

In 2022, South Africa fell short to qualifying to the semis by a point. And the abandoned match against Zimbabwe came back to haunt them. They were within touching distance to win the game but had to settle for only one point rather than two as the match stopped after three overs during the chase.

3. Pakistan beating New Zealand in semifinal

Inzamam-ul-Haq (Source: Twitter)

In 1992, Imran Khan-led Pakistan famously sealed a 4-wicket win over New Zealand, courtesy of a top-class knock by the youngster, Inzamam-ul-Haq, who scored 60 off 37. It got them to their final for the first time in World Cups. 

In 2022, it was skipper Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan who sealed a thumping 7-wicket win for the Men in Green against the Kiwis. And how fitting could it be if the Pakistanis tees off with the title in their kitty?

4. MCG hosting finals

Melbourne Cricket Ground. (Source Twitter)

The Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) iconic venue that has witnessed a number of landmark games in the history of cricket also hosted the 1992 World Cup final. And yet again in 2022, it will be the MCG that would host the 20-20 World Cup 2022 final. It was Pakistan and England who met in the final last time. And it’s over to England now to emulate yet another part of history.

5. First World Cup in Australia

Imran Khan. (Source: Twitter)

The first-ever 50-over World Cup was held in 1975 in England, and the next two editions of the tournament in 1979 and 1983 stayed in the home of cricket. For the first time, the hosting rights were given to India in 1987. And in 1992, the mega event moved to Australia. And in the 20-20 World Cup, for the first time since its inauguration in 2007, Australia hosted the event. And as in 1992, it is safe to say that the Aussies did not have a memorable tournament.