17 years ago, today, the stage was set. A semi-final of the ’99 World Cup Pakistan were up against a strong New Zealand side. A win in this match and Pakistan were into the finals of the world cup after 7 years. New Zealand won the toss and decided to bat first. Somebody was needed to step up in order to rattle New Zealand’s batting line-up. Who that guy would be? Who else but ‘The Rawalpindi Express’.
It was a fierce bowling spell from Shoaib Akhtar who provided important breakthroughs to Pakistan in Nathan Astle, Stephen Fleming and Chris Harris. Pakistani fielders faced no trouble whatsoever as Akhtar knocked stumps out each time he got the wicket. Later on, he got the man of the match award for his spell of 3 for 55.
Watch how Shoaib helped push Pakistan into the finals of ’99 World Cup:
