Mumbai: Though Pakistan batsmen and fielders are likely to be blamed for their lacklustre exit from the ICC World Cup 2015 but that’s not all. A number rose from a 16-year-old history book and winked at the Pakistanis. Tail-enders Wahab Riaz and Sohail Khan tried to accelerate in the death overs till the wizard of Oz cut short their stay in the middle – 213, the number.
One may usually associate ‘13’ being an unlucky number but it turned the tide for Australia in the ICC World Cup 1999 against South Africa in Birmingham. They scored 213.
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Tipped as favourites back then, the Proteas – possessed by the magical number – could not cross the final hurdle despite being inches away from a win. Chasing 214, they needed a run off three balls in the last over.
Lance Klusener almost made it happen for Hansie Cronje and company had Allan Donald been a little more attentive on the pitch. No, that’s not being nervous – the magical figure did the trick.
This time, Pakistan were all out for 213 and the Australians were chasing. And came the supernatural powers yet again, this time, possessing the Pakistan fielders. Otherwise, a cricketer at the international level doesn’t drop a sitter like Rahat Ali did. Even captain Misbah-ul-Haq slipped two boundaries.
The last time the total 213 was scored in a Cricket World Cup was the 1999 #AUSvSA tie! Will history repeat? #AUSvPAK pic.twitter.com/nycAizaqAr
— ICC (@ICC) March 20, 2015However, spare a thought for Riaz who redefined pace bowling.
Australia coach Darren Lehmann, part of the batch of 1999, might have recalled that day when Shane Watson jumped celebrating the semifinal berth.
