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McDermott ends Imran's dream, and Kapil's 175
Billy the Kid in Lahore, and Kapil bedevils Zimbabwe
Billy the Kid sabotages Imran's dream
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McDermott's pace and accuracy were too much for Pakistan as the pressure mounted© Getty Images
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Australia had been long shots going into the tournament, but after a morale-boosting one-run win over a formidable Indian side, they had built up some momentum heading into the Lahore semi-final. Until Imran Khan returned to telling effect in the final overs, they had made the most of Allan Border's decision to bat first, with David Boon (65), Dean Jones (38) and Mike Veletta (48) leading the way. Perhaps just as crucial though was a final flourish from Steve Waugh (32 not out) that saw 18 come from Salim Jaffer's final over.
Craig McDermott, who had toiled magnificently in vain on the Ashes tour of 1985, had been a pivotal performer in the group games, and he again came good as Pakistan started their reply poorly. He cleaned up Mansoor Akhtar, and then watched from the outfield as Javed Miandad and Imran Khan set about resurrecting the Pakistani innings. By the time Border recalled his Queensland team-mate, the game was in the balance, with a vociferous home crowd urging their heroes on.
When McDermott knocked over Wasim Akram, there was stunned silence, and after Bruce Reid had landed the potentially decisive blow by bowling Miandad, it was the man they called Billy the Kid that sprinted in to administer the last rites. Salim Yousuf, Jaffer and Tauseef Ahmed all edged behind to Greg Dyer as Pakistan fell 18 runs short. McDermott had figures of 5 for 44, and though Imran had delivered a virtuoso performance (3 for 36 and 58 runs), his dream of winning the World Cup on the subcontinent lay shattered on the Gaddafi Stadium turf.
Dileep Premachandran
Kapil's shots shatter Zimbabwe hopes
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Once Kapil started teeing off, Zimbabwe had no answer
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Kapil Dev's India went in to the 1983 World Cup without expectations. They had won only one match, against East Africa, in the previous two editions, losing even to Sri Lanka, who were yet to be granted Test status. Kapil was 24. Few thought, least of all his teammates, he was fit to be captain. He had been pitch-forked in to the job only four months earlier when India lost a Test series to Pakistan and Sunil Gavaskar had to pay the price. He was gauche, strategically naïve, and was still trying to come to terms with his sudden elevation.
Statistically, Kapil didn't set the World Cup alight with bat or ball. He scored just 227 runs, and took only six wickets in six matches. His line and length were impeccable throughout and he conceded only 156 runs in 60 overs, but the wickets were captured by the Roger Binny and Madan Lal, the friendly trundlers.
But it Kapil Dev who kept India's chin up. Against Zimbabwe in the league stage, he bailed India out with a majestic, back-to-wall 175. Never mind that it was against the World Cup debutants, that innings at Tunbridge Wells stands the test of time. It came on a lively pitch that Zimbabwe's bowlers exploited, and against hopeless odds. His team having been reduced to 9 for 4 when he walked in and it soon became 17 for 5. Though his runs came off a mere 138 balls, it was a controlled and calculated innings. Not until reaching his hundred in the 49th did he let himself go, as 75 runs came from his bat in the next 11 overs.
Sambit Bal
© Cricinfo
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