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Cricket is not just a sport; it’s an emotion that binds millions of people worldwide. The Cricket World Cup, held every four years, brings together the best teams from around the globe for a thrilling competition. Among all the matches, the final ones are often the most exciting and nerve-racking to watch as they decide which team takes home cricket’s ultimate glory.
The 1992 Cricket World Cup final between Pakistan and England was one such match that has been etched in history for its sheer thrill and excitement. Played at Melbourne Cricket Ground, Australia, this match saw an underdog Pakistani team led by Imran Khan defeat England by 22 runs. Despite being off to a shaky start, Pakistan managed to set a target of 250 runs thanks largely to Imran Khan and Javed Miandad’s innings. Then their bowlers took over with Wasim Akram leading the pack with three crucial wickets ensuring a historic victory for Pakistan.
Another memorable final was in 2007 when Australia squared off against Sri Lanka in Barbados. In rain-affected game reduced to 38 overs per side, Adam Gilchrist’s explosive century powered Australia to set up a mammoth score of 281 runs. Sri Lanka fought hard but fell short by 53 runs according to Duckworth-Lewis method handing Australia their fourth World Cup title.
However, no discussion about exciting finals can be complete without mentioning the epic battle between England and New Zealand in ICC World Cup Final held at Lord’s in July 2019 – arguably one of the greatest cricket matches ever played! Neither team had won a world cup before making it even more riveting. After both teams ended up scoring exactly same total of 241 after fifty overs each, it went down into super over where again both teams scored equal runs (15). But due to boundary count rule then existed, England emerged victorious leaving everyone gasping!
Then there was India vs Sri Lanka final in 2011, where India chased down a target of 275 runs to lift the cup after 28 years. The iconic moment of M.S Dhoni hitting the winning six is still fresh in every cricket fan’s memory.
These finals had everything – thrill, drama, emotions and most importantly, they showcased the unpredictability that makes cricket such an exciting sport. The players displayed exceptional skills and resilience under pressure which made these matches unforgettable. As we look forward to more World Cups in future, one can only hope for more such thrilling encounters that continue to elevate this beautiful game.
