World Cup 1999 Flashback: Saqlain Mushtaq’s Hat-Trick Secures Victory for Pakistan

The year was 1999, and the cricketing world was abuzz with anticipation as the World Cup unfolded its drama on the international stage. In the midst of this cricketing spectacle, a moment of pure brilliance emerged that etched itself into the annals of history. June 11, 1999, marked a pivotal moment as Saqlain Mushtaq, a name synonymous with spin wizardry, etched his name into the record books by securing a remarkable hat-trick during the World Cup. This exceptional feat propelled Pakistan to victory and cemented Saqlain’s legacy as a maestro of spin bowling.

Saqlain Mushtaq, a prodigious talent from Pakistan, had already made his mark on the cricketing world before the 1999 World Cup arrived. Having debuted in the One Day International (ODI) format in 1995, Saqlain had steadily established himself as a force to be reckoned with. With several five-wicket hauls and four-fers under his belt, Saqlain’s mastery over spin was evident across different formats and on diverse cricketing landscapes.

The 1999 World Cup saw Pakistan, a cricketing powerhouse, square off against Zimbabwe, a team that had defied expectations by upsetting giants like India and South Africa. Pakistan, along with South Africa, was considered one of the strongest contenders in the tournament. The team’s campaign had been a mix of dominant victories and hard-fought battles, showcasing their mettle. Notably, they had secured wins against West Indies, Scotland, Australia, and New Zealand.

As the match unfolded, Zimbabwe put up a commendable fight with Neil Johnson leading the charge with a determined batting performance. However, Pakistan’s bowling attack, spearheaded by the fearsome Shoaib Akhtar, and complemented by the incisive Abdul Razzaq, managed to break the backbone of Zimbabwe’s batting lineup. The crucial moment arrived when Saqlain Mushtaq stepped up to deliver the 41st over.

Saqlain’s variations and skill proved too much for the Zimbabwean batsmen to handle. Henry Olonga, attempting to counter Saqlain’s brilliance, found himself stumped by the agile wicketkeeper Moin Khan. In an unfortunate turn of events, Adam Huckle attempted a similar approach on the very next ball and faced the same fate. With this, Saqlain found himself on the brink of a hat-trick with Zimbabwe’s score at 123.

This was not Saqlain’s first tryst with a hat-trick. Three years prior, in 1996, he had achieved the rare feat against the same opposition, dismissing Grant Flower, John Rennie, and Andy Whittall on consecutive deliveries. Now, with the world watching, Saqlain was on the cusp of becoming only the second player in World Cup history to secure a hat-trick.

Facing the hat-trick ball was Pommie Mbangwa, a cricketer who would later be remembered for his remarkable ineptitude with the bat. Saqlain’s delivery wrapped Mbangwa’s pads, and the umpire’s finger was swiftly raised. The stadium erupted in celebration as Saqlain achieved the historic feat – his second hat-trick in ODIs, an achievement shared only by the legendary Wasim Akram.

Saqlain Mushtaq’s name now shines brightly among cricket’s elite bowlers. Alongside the likes of Wasim Akram, Chaminda Vaas, and Lasith Malinga, he has etched his name as a multiple hat-trick taker in ODIs. Notably, Saqlain’s accomplishment is further elevated as he remains the sole bowler to achieve two ODI hat-tricks against the same opposition.