27 June,2019 12:00 PM IST | | mid-day online desk
Sarfaraz Ahmed
Looks like the Pakistan cricket team is reliving their 1992 World Cup-winning campaign
An identical sequence of wins and losses, and other eerie parallels, have struck a chord with millions of fans who believe that Pakistan could be set to come out on top once again. In both World Cups, Pakistan started with a one-sided defeat to the West Indies, before recovering to win their second game -- against Zimbabwe in 1992, and England this time around.
Also Read: World Cup 2019: Virat Kohli is about to break Sachin Tendulkar's record
At both tournaments, their third game was rained off and they then went on to lose their next two games and win the following two. Not only that, but the final win in both sequences was against New Zealand, who were unbeaten in both 1992 and 2019 until they ran into Pakistan.
ALSO READ
Over 40 US lawmakers push for Imran Khan’s release
Trump has no ties with Imran Khan; to keep eye on Bangladesh situation: Pak-Amer
Babar Azam stares down fan who told him he doesn’t deserve T20I spot
Pak journalist ruffles feathers with Champions Trophy query at US press briefing
Indonesian influencer Lydia Onic’s private video leaked
In another similarity, Wasim was the leading wicket-taker in 1992 with 18 and another Pakistan left-arm pacer, Mohammad Amir, is second on the bowler's chart with 16 so far.
Fans are now hoping that the similarities don't end here, and even that they continue beyond the World Cup. "Imran Khan was Pakistan captain in 1992 World Cup and 26 years after that triumph he became country's prime minister, so Sarfaraz should also join politics and become premier in 2045," said one comment on social media.
Also Read: World Cup 2019: Pakistan's Babar Azam becomes second fastest to 3,000 ODI runs
Apart from this, a user posted, that Hollywood movie Aladdin released in 1992 and released again this year, in 2019.
The only drawback is, Pakistan in 1992 played a total of only 8 games, whereas Sarfaraz Ahmed's Pakistan team will have to play 11 games in the ongoing World Cup to lift the trophy. So the similarities might end after 8 games. We will have to wait and see how this unfolds.
Here are some Tweets regarding the uncanny similarities between the two campaigns:
With inputs from AFP
Catch up on all the latest sports news and updates here. Also download the new mid-day Android and iOS apps to get latest updates