Cornered Tigers, Episode 4: A Fitting Finale

By: Sheerin Jafri

Cricket aficionados, prepare for another thrilling episode of "Cornered Tigers: The 1992 Story," the documentary series that explores the little-known events that led to Pakistan's memorable triumph in the 1992 Cricket World Cup. This docuseries, produced by Nina Kashif for TapMad Entertainment and directed by the great Adnan Sarwar, takes us on an incredible journey into the brains and emotions of legendary cricket players who made their names immortal.

The docuseries promises to reveal the stories and talents that led to Pakistan's great victory, captivating and inspiring viewers in the process. Wasim Akram, Javed Miandad, Mushtaq Ahmed, Ejaz Ahmed, and Moin Khan are just a few of the legendary cricketers who have been exclusively interviewed in the docuseries. The episodes show the highs and lows of the historic event that brought a nation together.

Chapter 4: The Big Win!

The fourth episode has been divided into two parts, with Part 1 concentrating on what happened before and after the1992 World Cup victory, as well as an epilogue and the heartbreaking 1999 World Cup defeat. The second chapter explores how the 1992 World Cup inspired players like Shoaib Akhtar, who looked up to cricket legends like Waqar Younis.

The testimonies of the players carry us back to the heart-pounding lows and exhilarating highs of that historic occasion.

Part 1: Who Rules The World?

Part 1 spellbinds viewers with its emphasis on events leading up to and following the 1992 World Cup. All of the emotions are put on screen for everyone to experience, from touching tales of prayers held in mosques and mohallas to tales of sleepless nights caused by excitement and tension.

Part 1 opens with news clippings warning viewers with weak hearts to avoid watching the final match.

Ijaz Ahmed recalls, “As we were thrilled to win the Semi-Final the day before and anxious about the Final the next night, we played the Final without sleeping for two days. We were so excited to win the World Cup again the next day that we were unable to sleep after that as well.”

The players reflect on the great energy that surrounded them and was encouraged by the legendary Imran Khan as the World Cup final against England looms. The team went into the final with confidence and a determination to give it their all for the ultimate victory under Imran's inspiring leadership.

"After our match against Australia, we knew we were going to win, and Imran Khan's encouraging remarks about our inevitable victory gave us the positive energy we needed." - Moin Khan

The episode also highlights the achievements of legendary players like Wasim Akram, who excelled in the final match, and Miandad, the team's rock. Mushtaq Ahmed demonstrates the captain's strategic acumen by sharing his request to Imran Khan to bowl when Graeme Hick came to bat.

Feelings Post Victory:

The nation was greatly impacted by the 1992 World Cup win, which encouraged a whole generation to take up the sport. Aspiring to be the next Waqar Younis, Wasim Akram, or Imran Khan, Shoaib Akhtar describes how the World Cup inspired young boys to play cricket. Moin Khan emphasizes how the World Cup victory at such a young age was a turning point in his career.

Epilogue: Losing the 1999 World Cup Final:

The documentary series also explores Pakistan's defeat in the 1999 World Cup final. Ijaz Ahmed admits that the team was close to winning the World Cup, but he attributes the team's decision to bat after winning the toss as the turning point. According to Mushtaq Ahmed, “Instead of team goals, they might have lost because of personal mileage.”

Chapter 4 Part 2: Shoaib Special:

Chapter 4's second part is devoted to the outstanding bowler, Shoaib Akhtar. He talks about his early days playing cricket and his love for the sport. Shoaib discusses the difficulties he encountered and his ambition to revive the energy of 1992, both of which motivated his resolve to bowl at record-breaking speeds.

When asked about his passion for the game, Shoaib Akhtar says, "To me, playing cricket is like breathing.”

He places a strong emphasis on cricketer grooming and ongoing progress. Shoaib regrets not making his debut under Imran Khan's captaincy and agrees that managing unique talents demands unique minds.

"We need to develop a system and structure where boys under 16 are picked, invested in, and then taken forward," says Shoaib while discussing the creation of a framework and system for fostering young talent.

He discusses his battle with depression following the 1999 World Cup and how media reports about him impacted his reputation. With pride, Shoaib declares, "I retired on my own terms."

The leading OTT platform in Pakistan, TapMad, upped its game by streaming this engrossing original docuseries, providing exclusive insight to the first-person perspectives and recollections of the unforgettable events of the 1992 Cricket World Cup.

This documentary series serves as a timely reminder of the unbreakable spirit that brought a nation together in 1992 as the eagerly awaited Asia Cup and World Cup draw near. Cricket fans will always have a special place in their hearts for that epic World Cup victory.

Watch "Cornered Tigers: The 1992 Story" on TapMad to feel the pride, motivation, and nostalgia that shaped Pakistan's cricketing history in 1992.

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