Cricket Match Predictions: When The Tigers got the better of star-studded Pakistan at 1999 World Cup

In our new feature series - Who would have predicted that? – we are looking back at matches where there were big upsets or extraordinary individual performances that turned matches on their head.

Bangladesh were making their World Cup debut at the 1999 ODI World Cup. The Tigers had yet to post a total in excess of 200 in four attempts. Their management was not in great shape either, with friction between the coach and the BCB President.

The Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB) were planning to fire Gordon Greenidge, who had been coach during their ICC Trophy triumph in Malaysia, but fell out with the board president Saber Hossain Chowdhury. Mohammad Rafique, Minhajul, Enamul Haque and Faruque Ahmed had announced their retirements that morning. (Enamul and Rafique reversed their decisions later to play Tests cricket)

On the other hand, Pakistan were in red-hot form beating everyone that came their way, not least Australia at Headingley. As was the rule in the tournament, The Men in Green had already attained maximum carry-over points for the Super Sixes stage, and so had absolutely nothing to lose. For Bangladesh, it was a matter of pride, more so given the political sensitivity of the time.

Match Summary

Bangladesh 223/9(50 Overs) - Shahriar Hossain39 (60), Akram Khan42 (66); Saqlain Mushtaq5/35 (10), Waqar Younis2/36 (9)

Pakistan 161(44.3 Overs) - Azhar Mahmood29 (61), Wasim Akram29 (52); Khaled Mahmud3/31 (10), Naimur Rahman1/20 (6.3)

Result - Bangladesh won by 62 runs

The runs came from the Bangladesh top order with Shahriar Hossain scoring 39 off 60 and Akram Khan scoring 42 off 66. But, from 120-2 at one point, Bangladesh suffered an expected batting collapse to be restricted to 223-9 from their 50 overs.

After a good start, the Bangladesh innings was thwarted by a five-wicket haul from off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq. Waqar Younis was also good with figures of 9-36-2.

Fall of Wickets: 69-1 (M Hossain, 15.3), 70-2 (S Hossain, 17.4), 120-3 (A Islam, 29.1), 148-4 (A Khan, 34.3), 148-5 (N Rahman, 34.5), 187-6 (M Abedin, 41.1), 195-7 (K Mahmud, 43.1), 208-8 (M Rafique, 47.1), 212-9 (N Rashid, 48.1)

With nothing to lose, Pakistan literally played like millionaires as run-outs an misfields were the order of the day. At 42 for 5 chasing 224, Pakistan looked completely out of sorts.

A sell-out 7000 crowd at Wantage Road, the vast majority of whom were roaring like the Bengal Tigers emblazoned on their flags, drums, whistles and faces went berserk each time Khaled Mahmud's dibbly-dobbly seamers undid a Pakistani batsman. Mahmud received the Man of the Match for his three wickets as Pakistan were bowled out for 161, losing the match by 62 runs.

Fall of Wickets: 5-1 (Afridi, 0.5), 7-2 (I Ahmed, 1.6), 26-3 (S Anwar, 7.1), 29-4 (Inzamam-ul-Haq, 8.1), 42-5 (S Malik, 12.3), 97-6 (A Mahmood, 27.5), 102-7 (W Akram, 29.1), 124-8 (M Khan, 34.6), 160-9 (W Younis, 43.3), 161-10 (S Mushtaq, 44.3)

Bangladesh's win paved the way for their Test status. The Tigers rose to Full Membership, becoming the 10th Test playing side in the world, next year.

Teams

Bangladesh - Shahriar Hossain, Mehrab Hossain, Akram Khan, Aminul Islam (c), Naimur Rahman, Minhajul Abedin, Khaled Mahmud, Khaled Mashud (wk), Mohammad Rafique, Niamur Rashid, Shafiuddin Ahmed

Pakistan - Saeed Anwar, Shahid Afridi, Ijaz Ahmed, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Saleem Malik, Azhar Mahmood, Wasim Akram (c), Moin Khan (wk), Saqlain Mushtaq, Waqar Younis, Shoaib Akhtar

Match Details

Match: Bangladesh v Pakistan, 29th Match, ICC World Cup, 1999
Date: Monday, May 31, 1999
Toss: Pakistan won the toss and opt to bowl
Venue: County Ground, Northampton
Umpires: Doug Cowie, Darrell Hair
Third Umpire: David Shepherd
Match Referee: Ranjan Madugalle

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