Cricket is a widely enjoyed outdoor sport that offers both excitement and pleasure. While some individuals have the chance to play professional cricket, there are countless others who find joy in being spectators. Observing a cricket match provides leisure and fosters a sense of competition. At Karachi’s National Stadium, I witnessed an exhibition of immense determination and thrill. On a picturesque day, people from diverse backgrounds – men, women, and children – assembled to watch the Pakistan versus New Zealand match. Both teams demonstrated their aggression during the final.
New Zealand won the toss and elected to field first against Pakistan. Shahid Afridi and Saeed Anwar were chosen as the opening batsmen. The captain’s decision was justified as Afridi displayed excellent hitting skills, scoring runs all over the field. His aggressive play contributed to a strong start for Pakistan. On the other hand, Anwar played cautiously, often blocking the ball rather than going for big shots. Initially, he struggled to score due to the strong bowling attack, remaining scoreless for the first fifteen minutes. However, with time, he adapted to the bowlers’ tactics and provided valuable support to Afridi.
He achieved his fifty by playing skillful and elegant shots. Following him, Shahid Afridi struggled to face the bowlers and quickly returned to the pavilion. However, Moin Khan formed a partnership and managed to push the score to 218. Wasim Akram played an exceptional innings, allowing the Pakistani team to reach a total of 269 for 8. This formidable score heavily impacted the morale of the New Zealand Team. They had a disappointing start, losing their first wicket when the score was just ten. Nevertheless, their middle order batsmen put in a strong effort and lifted the spirits of the Kiwi Team.
However, the entrance of Wasim Akram as a bowler revived the hopes of Pakistanis. Remarkably, after only 5 overs, the New Zealand team’s score had risen to 260 for 7. With just 10 runs needed to win in 1 over, the rival team was inching closer to victory. Gradually, the score continued to increase until it reached 266. On the final ball, New Zealand needed 4 runs to win, with Waqar Younis positioned on the opposing side. As soon as Younis bowled, the wickets were hit and Pakistan secured another thrilling triumph over New Zealand. The crowd erupted into wild cheers, congratulating their national champions for this incredible success.
