Worst Moment as a cricket fan?

For me was WC final 1999. It was a day before my important Maths A level exam, I decided to forego my revision and watch the match.

Pakistan won the toss and I was very happy because Pakistan had mainly won after batting first and setting a big total with the help of late pushes from the bat of Wasim and Moin.

The team was posed to repeat Imran’s cornered tigers. By all accounts Pakistan were the star team in the tournament and had already beaten Australia convincingly in the group stages.

The day was overcast, Lords was full, but not many Pakistan flags to be seen. The wickets started tumbling. The batsmen playing nothing shots, they had choked in a big way and rumors started circling straight away that many had had a late boozy night. Pakistan were all out for 120 odd and many fans had only just turned on their TV sets.

There was still the foolish hope that Pakistan’s world class bowlers could skittle Aus out and do the impossible. The team was well balanced. Wasim and a young fiery Akhtar opening. A pacey Razzaq and wily Azhar Mahmood to follow up, leaving the important middle overs to the exceptionally talented Saqlian with his magic “doosra” that had already claimed a hat trick in a previous match.

Nothing worked and Australia coasted to victory with many overs to spare. The dull ache in the heart set in and I along with many couldn’t bear to watch the closing ceremony. Pakistan had blown it, and in a massive way.

I remember my little brother who was just a baby that day spending most of the match sleeping on my chest. As the winning runs were scored by Ponting and co, a sharp smell of poo erupted from him…it summed up Pakistan perfectly on that fateful day.