By Maliha Rehman
It’s a story from more than three decades ago – that Pakistan keeps celebrating.
In 1992, the Pakistani cricket team, under the aegis of captain Imran Khan, euphorically ran around the Melbourne Cricket Ground in Australia, holding a silver trophy up high. They were grinning widely, the unlikely champions in the ICC World Cup, having endured setbacks and struggles during the tournament before rising as the victors.
A song was composed celebrating their win, aired out perpetually on national TV. Those of us who were around at that time still remember the burst of jubilation one felt every time that song was aired, accompanied by videos from the World Cup tournament. Younger cricket aficionados who did not witness the historic match still know that 1992 was the year when Pakistani cricket shone bright. And every time the Pakistani cricket team does well in an international tournament, the conversation always veers towards the hope that the glory of 1992 may once again be relived.
An upcoming docuseries, to be streamed out on OTT platform Tapmad Entertainment, produced by Nina Kashif and directed by Adnan Sarwar, will now be celebrating 1992’s victory all over again. It’s a concept that immediately connects with any cricket-lover or really, any Pakistani. In fact, it is surprising that no one considered creating a docuseries on the historic win before now. It is, after all, a moment that all of Pakistan would like to revisit again and again, the sort of memory that gives one a patriotic high and a reminder of the all-pervasive power of cricket in the country.
‘Cornered Tigers: The 1992 Story’ will be narrating the experiences and recollections of our ‘tigers’ at the time, i.e., the Pakistani cricket team. Anyone familiar with the 1992 World Cup tournament is aware that there were initial matches which the Pakistani team lost. The team came head to head with England in a match which concluded with no result due to heavy rains. Another match with England – the final – resulted in the World Cup win. They may have had been ‘cornered’ for a while but eventually Pakistan’s cricketers roared ahead, like ‘tigers’.
Narrating the trials, emotions and high points of the tournaments will be some of the most venerated names in Pakistan’s cricket history; among them, Wasim Akram, Javed Miandad, Shoaib Akhtar, Inzimam Ul Haq, Moin Khan, Ejaz Ahmed and Mushtaq Ahmed. A series of in-depth interviews will move the story along, captured by Adnan Sarwar who has carved a niche for himself with his penchant for stories related to sports.
The recollections promise to be quite iconic. For instance, Wasim Akram, at one point, reveals, “People think it was Imran Khan who discovered me, but it’s actually the legend Javed Miandad who spotted my potential and changed my life.”
Inzimam Ul Haq confesses, “1992 was the turning point in my career. Even when I was not in form, my captain always encouraged me and I think that spirit drove us towards victory.”
More accolades are directed towards Imran Khan by Mushtaq Ahmed: “All over the world, people still remember us and every moment of our unbelievable journey. It’s a lovely feeling to be part of the winning world cup squad … Our captain used to tell me, ‘Look I am using you as a striker, not the container’. Whatever I am today, a lot of it comes from his mentorship.”
Ejaz Ahmed remembers, “Throughout my childhood I was fascinated by cricket. Be it my school or ground, no day would pass without playing cricket. Little did I know one day I’d be part of Pakistan’s greatest cricket victory.”
Shoaib Akhtar defines his passion for the sport, saying, “I started following cricket in 1992 and it gradually became a passion, passion became profession and then, it became part of my breathing process.”
Some of the many stages of the 1992 tournament will be captured in Moin Khan’s reminiscences. He recalls, “A few players remained outstanding throughout the World Cup, especially Wasim Akram, Mushtaq Ahmed and even Aqib Javed, who bowled well. The anchor role was that of Javed Miandad. Out of 10 matches, he scored seven 50’s. His energy inspired the rest of us.” Describing his dispute with England all-rounder Ian Botham, Moin says, “Me and Ian Botham still have our difference of opinion over a wicket and now our dispute is part of history.” And then, ‘Hitting the winning six and four in the semifinal against New Zealand was an epic moment. I played patiently and was able to achieve exactly what our team needed.”
The series’ producer Nina Kashif describes it as ‘an apolitical story, told by those who wrote it’. She elaborates, “For those who were born in the ‘90’s, winning the 1992 Cricket World Cup is a story that has legendary status. Now, more than three decades later, it important for Pakistan’s Generation Z and Alpha to know how it happened.”
“Cornered Tigers tells the tale, as narrated by the heores who made it possible. Unrelenting resolve, focused commitment and a sturdy belief in their leadership paved the way for the Pakistani team’s success.”
The power wielded by cricket in Pakistan is undeniable. And a story about a much-celebrated cricket win has a potency of its own. ‘Cornered Tigers: The 1992 Story’ promises to be a riveting ride and also, a patriotic one.
What do you think?