Jubiliant Pakistan players after the triumph.
Wasim Akram swung the game Pakistan's way with the wickets of Allan Lamb and Chris Lewis off successive deliveries
The Pakistan cricket team realised a long-cherished dream under the charismatic leadership of Imran Khan at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Waterford Crystal Trophy became the Pakistanis' on an evening when they displayed the discipline of method, shades of professionalism in face of adversity, and flair of glittering talent.
In a championship where they were about to suffer a precipitous fall, they staged a near-miraculous and memorable comeback to reach the summit, placing their flag with indubitable authority.
Imran's warriors, who have endeared themselves to their captain for his willingness to fight to the death, did everything that was asked of them. In front of an audience of 87,182, Pakistan downed the oldest 'pro' in the game - England - by 22 runs.
The tactics were shocking at the start after Imran took the easy and historically-indicated route to success - batting first. Here were two senior batsmen - Javed Miandad and Imran - playing pat ball. The worst possible scenarios could have been written up for Pakistan when the two seemed to vie with each other in playing the anchor. The stand went at a snail's pace. However, the perception of the two seniors had to be appreciated. Their wisdom would have suggested that the fall of another wicket, after Aamir Sohail had nibbled at Derek Pringle to be caught behind and Rameez Raja was plumb in front, could be disastrous.
It was a tactical plan on the part of two experienced batsmen to take the pressure of rebuilding the innings, even if it meant an undue consumption of overs to start with. Miandad, who became the second batsman to score 1000 runs in the Cup after Viv Richards, put on 139 for the third wicket with Imran before Inzamam-ul-Haq and Wasim Akram added 52 off 39 balls towards the end that took the total to 249 for six.
England's challenge, after a dubious start in which Ian Botham was adjudged caught behind and Alec Stewart not dismissed when he should have been, was re-built by Neil Fairbrother and Allan Lamb in a stand of 72.
However, Akram - the man of the final - swung the game Pakistan's way with the wickets of Lamb and Chris Lewis off successive deliveries.
Imran's shrewd captaincy, tactical switches - the bringing back of Akram was superbly timed - and commanding presence were huge factors in the victory.
This was a triumph beyond his wildest dreams, but one for which he said he had a gut feeling floating in him even in the worst of defeats in the very same World Cup.
The scores: Pakistan 249 for six in 50 overs (Imran Khan 72, Javed Miandad 58, Inzamam-ul-Haq 42, Wasim Akram 33; Derek Pringle three for 22) bt England 227 in 49.2 overs (Neil Fairbrother 62, Allan Lamb 31, Graham Gooch 29, Mushtaq Ahmed three for 41, Akram three for 49) by 22 runs.
Toss: Pakistan.
Man-of-the-match: Akram.
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