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DATE : 10-12-1984

VENUE : Bellerive Oval, Hobart

MATCH : 4th ODI, Australia Vs Pakistan, Benson & Hedges World Series 1992/93

Writer : B.V.Swagath

The home of Tasmanian Cricket, Bellerive Oval at Hobart became the venue for the 4th ODI of the Benson & Hedges World Series in 1992/93. It was the second game in the tournament for the then World Champions Pakistan and against them were Australia. Pakistan in their opening match beat West Indies comfortably. Australia on the other hand lost one and won one against West Indies at Perth and Sydney respectively. On both the occasions, the Australian batting line up failed to cross 200, but one of the major factors for such low scores was also the wicket conditions, with the wickets in general being on the slower side and coupled with uneven bounce.

Pakistan were missing the services of their inspirational captain Imran Khan and Javed Miandad took over the mantle for this tournament. The left-handed opening batsman Mark Taylor captained Australia. Taylor won the toss and elected to bat first on a dry Bellerive Oval wicket. First change bowler, Aaquib Javed drew first blood by trapping David Boon in front of the stumps and Australia were 1/32. Dean Jones joined his skipper and the two had a good partnership of 92. Aaquib Javed, who had come in the XI replacing Ata-Ur-Rehman, proved his worth again by breaking the 2nd wicket partnership as he got Taylor to nick behind. Australia were in a decent position at 2/138 thanks to the 2nd wicket partnership. Mark Taylor scored a cautious 46 coming off 107 balls and with just 1 boundary to his name. Pakistan soon sent Dean Jones back in the hut through a run out and Australia all of a sudden slipped to 3/138. Deano scored 53 from 73 balls with 1 huge six. From then onwards, Australia could never settle down with wickets tumbling at regular intervals courtesy to a couple of run outs of Steve Waugh and the young Damien Martyn.

A good partnership of 38 for the 7th wicket between wicket keeper Ian Healy and all rounder Paul Reifell put the Aussies back on the railings. Australia recovered from 6/179 to 7/217 with Healy getting out in the slog overs. This was the first match in this edition of the B & H World Series, where a team had crossed 200 after three low scoring matches. Australia ended their innings with a total of 7/228 with Dean Jones as their top scorer with 53. Aaquib Javed was the most successful among the Pakistan bowlers with figures of 10-0-35-2. 

Pakistan began their run chase in dismal fashion losing both their openers Aamir Sohail and Rameez Raza to Craig McDermott and Mike Whitney respectively. Pakistan were reeling at 2/10. More trouble followed after skipper, Javed Miandad departed after a painful stay at the crease scoring 14 off 50 balls and Pakistan at 3/41. Saleem Malik and the young Inzamam had an ‘innings rebuilding’ partnership of 50 to take Pakistan to 4/91 with Inzy getting out to Mark Waugh. Another good partnership of 42 followed between Saleem Malik and the left handed Asif Mujtaba. Saleem Malik was the 5th wicket to go down as Craig McDermott got the former to nick behind. Malik scored a well paced 64 from 99 balls with three hits to the fence. Wasim Akram failed to deliver this time and Pakistan were now struggling at 6/129, still requiring 100 runs for a win. That got Australia into the Drivers’ seat but it wasn’t to be as Rashid Latif and Asif Mujtaba had other ideas. The pair settled down quickly and runs were coming smoothly for Pakistan.

Finally with the score at 6/197, Australia broke through the partnership by running out Rashid Latif. Latif scored a threatening 39 from just 35 balls with 3 boundaries. Australia managed to pick up two more wickets through McDermott and Steve Waugh and Pakistan were in a losing position at 9/212. Still 17 runs were required but only Aaquib Javed was at the crease with Asif Mujtaba. The pair somehow managed to put in a spirited fight. Aaquib Javed hit a crucial boundary but in the end, Pakistan fell short of the target by just 1 run. This meant the 773rd ODI in the history of ODI Cricket ended in a TIE. Pakistan ended at 9/228 against Australia’s 7/228. Top Scorer for Pakistan was Saleem Malik with 64 but the innings that helped Pakistan was that of the young left hander Asif Mujtaba who was unbeaten on 56 off just 51 balls with 3-4s and a six. That innings rewarded Mujtaba the Man of the Match. Craig McDermott was the pick of the bowlers with 4/42 from his 10 overs. Michael Whitney, the left arm quick proved to be very economical giving away just 29 from his 10 overs.
 

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