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Was Inzamam's 60 (37) the greatest ever under-pressure World Cup knock?

SOPL

Cricket Spectator
Although Inzamam-Ul-Haq essentially failed in subsequent World Cup tournaments (an 81 against Australia at Leeds in the 1999 World Cup aside), I think his blitzkrieg innings of 60 ranks highly amongst the supreme under-pressure World Cup knocks.

Coming in with the score at 140/4 in the 35th over, he stroked the ball nonchalantly during his wonderful knock, in the windy conditions present at the ground at that memorable day. Producing a partnership of 87 with Javed Miandad, he allowed Pakistan to reach the finals of the tournament from a seemingly unfathomable position; I very much doubt obtaining 123 in the last 15 overs was possible way back in 1992.

And all of that in a World Cup semi-final too! In the rest of the tournament he failed to perform (apart from in the final against England - where he scored 35 (42) - and the game against South Africa - where he looked good until he was dismissed by the infamous Jonty Rhodes 'superman run out' for a score of 48 (44) and so it is inevitable that the pressure must have been upon him too.

In fact, Imran Khan was really the only senior player who truly believed in his abilities (Inzamam himself was reluctant to play because of a stomach bug suffered a few days before the match, if I'm not mistaken) - if I recall correctly, after Salim Malik was out for a meagre score of 1, Javed Miandad signaled to the dressing room to send out Wasim Akram to bat (suggesting his lack of faith in Inzy's capabilities). Thankfully, Imran Khan was still Pakistan's captain until the conclusion of the 1992 World Cup - otherwise, we may never have seen the elegant stroke-player of Inzamam-Ul-Haq and witnessed some of cricket's greatest innings.

Here is the scorecard of the match:

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engin...tch/65154.html

Here is some footage of the innings:

Inzamam-ul-Haq vs. Newzealand in 1992 World Cup - Vidpk.com

Apologies for the absence of a YouTube link - I searched hard for one but they all seem to have been removed.
 

Furball

Evil Scotsman
Not even close.

Aravinda's knock in the 1996 World Cup final tops that and that's without even giving it any serious thought whatsoever.
 

SOPL

Cricket Spectator
Gotta be Marto's 88 in the 03 Final. What a knock.
In what way, shape or form was that an under-pressure WC knock? Australia were cruising at 125/2 after 20 overs when Martyn took his guard - not to mention it was the 1st innings (which is decidedly easier in a WC final) on a flat pitch (the '03 edition of the tournament conjuring up some of the flattest wickets ever seen in South Africa).

Inzamam's innings of 60 (37) and Tugga's century in '99 against SA were indisputably innings of greater significance.
 

OverratedSanity

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Gambhir 's 97. Big total to chase, home crowd pressure, two biggest guns dismissed cheaply, Malinga on fire etc.
 

Jassy

Banned
Aravinda De Silva's innings beats this one easily. It isn't even close. Inzamam played a good innings but there have been a fair few better. Jayawardene scored an incredible ton in a semi in difficult conditions as well. In 2011 WC alone there were arguably 2 or 3 innings better than Inzy's.
 

Jassy

Banned
In what way, shape or form was that an under-pressure WC knock? Australia were cruising at 125/2 after 20 overs when Martyn took his guard - not to mention it was the 1st innings (which is decidedly easier in a WC final) on a flat pitch (the '03 edition of the tournament conjuring up some of the flattest wickets ever seen in South Africa).

Inzamam's innings of 60 (37) and Tugga's century in '99 against SA were indisputably innings of greater significance.
Inzamam's 60(37) was not indisputably of greater significance...not unless you count polls on certain forums conducted by Saj. :) Ponting's ton in 2003 WC final was better than Inzy's too.

Speaking of flat pitches, what do you think of the pitch Inzamam scored on?
 
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smash84

The Tiger King
The greatest wc knock under pressure has to be Steve Waughs century against South Africa in super 6s of the 1999 world cup. And it came against the likes of donald pollock klusener and kallis iirc. Just outstanding
 

bagapath

International Captain
kapil's 175 not out coming in at 9/4 which soon became 17/5 should be among the greatest ODI knocks even though it came against zimbabwe
 

smash84

The Tiger King
The greatest wc knock under pressure has to be Steve Waughs century against South Africa in super 6s of the 1999 world cup. And it came against the likes of donald pollock klusener and kallis iirc. Just outstanding
Australia had to win all their matches too and in this match they had lost early wickets and needed to score at a fair clip. And of course who can forget the epc "you just dropped the world cup son" (even if that is a myth) :jump:
 

Hurricane

Hall of Fame Member
In what way, shape or form was that an under-pressure WC knock? Australia were cruising at 125/2 after 20 overs when Martyn took his guard - not to mention it was the 1st innings (which is decidedly easier in a WC final) on a flat pitch (the '03 edition of the tournament conjuring up some of the flattest wickets ever seen in South Africa).

Inzamam's innings of 60 (37) and Tugga's century in '99 against SA were indisputably innings of greater significance.
Marto is Australian.
 

harsh.ag

Cricket Web: All-Time Legend
kapil's 175 not out coming in at 9/4 which soon became 17/5 should be among the greatest ODI knocks even though it came against zimbabwe
Came here to post this. Kapil's 175 the best ever under pressure WC knock.
 

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