AUSTRALIA’S Steve Waugh lifted the cricket World Cup on Sunday after his side sent Pakistan spinning to the greatest humiliation in the tournament’s history. They won with eight wickets and an extraordinary 29.5 overs to spare.
What was expected to be a rousing finale between two well-matched sides, turned into a no-contest as Pakistan were shot out for 132 in just 39 overs after electing to bat first on a perfect track. Leg spinner Shane Warne, written off as a has-been earlier in the tournament, was the key to eight-wicket victory, taking four for 33. It was the lowest score recorded in the final of the event’s 24-year history. Opener Adam Gilchrist then thrashed 54 off 36 balls, including eight fours and a six, as Australia raced to 133 for two in 20.1 overs.
The game was reduced to an anti-climax almost immediately as Wasim Akram’s side, hoping to emulate Pakistan’s 1992 World Cup triumph, capitulated without a fight after opting to bat. It was Australia’s second World Cup victory, following their 1987 win. Steve Waugh also played in that final.
The victory completed a fairy-tale tournament for Waugh. His side lost two of their opening three games, but they then won six of their next seven games to lift the title. The other game, against South Africa in a drama-packed semi-final, ended in a tie, with both sides making 213. Waugh’s side scraped through because of a better second-round record. The victory was delayed by a few minutes after Pakistan fans ran onto the field with four runs needed for victory.