The Top 5 Memorable Cricket World Cup Finals
The cricketing world has witnessed numerous epic clashes over the years, regardless of the format. However, in the realm of gentleman's sport, nothing surpasses the grandeur and electrifying moments of an ODI World Cup final.
Since its inception in 1975, the ODI World Cup finals have served as the ultimate battlegrounds. Here, heroes etch their names into cricketing history with indelible ink, leaving a mark that never fades.
We're taking a journey through time to revisit five of the most iconic World Cup finals ever, commemorating these legendary title matches.
Here are the top five greatest ODI World Cup Finals of all time:
1. England vs New Zealand: World Cup 2019 Final
The 2019 cricketing carnival reached its thrilling conclusion at the iconic Lord's stadium in London, creating an unforgettable spectacle for sports fans. This captivating match featured a high-stakes showdown between two teams chasing their first-ever World Cup trophy: England and New Zealand.
As England aimed to chase down New Zealand's total of 241 runs, the tension reached its peak in the 100th over of the match. Ben Stokes, with his remarkable skills and a stroke of good luck, played a pivotal role for the host nation. They managed to gather 14 crucial runs from the final over, leveling the score with the Kiwis.
This nail-biting contest led to a historic Super Over, marking the first of its kind in any ICC final. In this intense extra over, Ben Stokes and Jos Buttler showcased their rebellious spirit by scoring 15 runs against Trent Boult. New Zealand's representatives, James Neesham and Martin Guptill, managed to match England's total, setting the stage for a unique conclusion.
Ultimately, a rather unusual tiebreaker rule, based on the boundary countback, favored Eoin Morgan's England team on this celebrated evening, securing their victory in a match that will be forever etched in cricket history.
2. India vs Sri Lanka: World Cup 2011 Final
In the 2011 World Cup, India and Sri Lanka, who were co-hosting the event, reached the finals at Mumbai's Wankhede Stadium. The stadium was packed to its full capacity, with an eager crowd waiting in anticipation. There was controversy over the toss, which eventually allowed Sri Lanka to bat first. Indian fast bowler Zaheer Khan kept the pressure on the Sri Lankan team in the early stages of their innings.
However, Mahela Jayawardene played a remarkable innings for the visitors, scoring a sensational century in the World Cup final. This helped Sri Lanka recover to post a competitive total of 274, despite losing wickets in the top order to Zaheer Khan's aggressive bowling.
In response, the Indian team, led by Gautam Gambhir's 97 and powered by MS Dhoni's unbeaten 91, successfully chased down the target in a tense run-chase with more than an over to spare. This victory marked India's first World Cup win in 28 years, ending their long-awaited title drought. It also served as a fitting farewell to the legendary Sachin Tendulkar as he approached the end of his illustrious career.
3. Australia vs England: World Cup 1987 Final
In 1975 and 1979, both Australia and England faced heart-wrenching defeats at the hands of the West Indies in the World Cup. Eager to improve their records, these long-standing Ashes rivals, each with over a century of cricket history, decided to battle it out in India's Eden Gardens for a shot at the 1987 World Cup title.
In front of a jam-packed Eden Gardens crowd, Australia and England left no stone unturned in their pursuit of victory. The match's outcome hung in the balance until the very last over.
England, in their chase of Australia's total of 253 runs, had a strong grip on the game. However, England's captain, Mike Gatting, made an ill-advised decision to attempt a reverse sweep, which not only dried up their runs but also increased their required run rate. Capitalizing on this opportunity, Allan Border's Australian team kept the English batsmen at bay. In the end, Australia needed just seven runs to secure their first-ever World Cup trophy in 1987.
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4. Pakistan vs England: World Cup 1992 Final
England faced the pressure of a World Cup final for the second time in a row. The haunting memories of the 1987 final were still fresh in the minds of many 1992 English players. Under the leadership of Graham Gooch, they went up against first-time finalists Pakistan at the iconic MCG on March 25.
Pakistan started by amassing 249-6, thanks to Imran Khan's 72, Javed Miandad's 58, and Inzamam-ul-Haq's 42. England struggled in response, losing four wickets for just 69 runs in their first 21 overs. Then, Allan Lamb and Neil Fairbrother strategically added 72 runs, maintaining a near run-a-ball pace for nearly an hour. This signaled England's advantage in the title clash.
However, all their hard work of 13 overs came undone in just two deliveries by the swing wizard, Wasim Akram. With their tail exposed, the English lower-order couldn't recover, falling 22 runs short of their target. This handed Pakistan their first and only World Cup victory to date.
5. India vs West Indies: World Cup 1983 Final
In the 1983 World Cup showdown, things turned out completely different from what everyone expected. An underdog Indian team, led by the energetic Kapil Dev, shattered West Indies' hopes of winning their third consecutive title at Lord's. This victory came despite the odds being heavily against India before the final match.
The Indian team, with Krishnamachari Srikkanth scoring 38 runs and several other players making valuable contributions, managed to score 183 runs in the first innings. What followed was a historic upset, as the experienced West Indies team struggled to chase the target. Indian bowlers Mohinder Amarnath and Madan Lal showed exceptional composure under pressure.
This win is still celebrated as one of India's greatest sporting achievements, and it also had a profound impact on the world of cricket, marking a significant shift in its landscape.
Conclusion -
In conclusion, these are the "Top 5 Best World Cup Finals in Cricket," showcasing unforgettable moments in the sport's history. For up-to-the-minute updates on your favorite matches, download the Fast Live Line app or visit our website. Stay ahead with our expert analysis, real-time scores, and live line guru insights, ensuring you never miss a crucial moment in the world of cricket. Experience the thrill with cricket live line at your fingertips!
