The 1996 World Cup was conducted in a completely different manner from the previous 5 World Cup series. This time total
12 teams participated. 6 teams each divided into 2 divisions. The matches were conducted in round-robin and knock-out format. India, Sri Lanka, Bagis
Three countries jointly organized the competition.
17 matches were played in India, 16 matches in Pakistan and 4 matches in Sri Lanka. Bomb blast at Central Bank in Colombo, Sri Lanka
Australia and West Indies refused to participate in league matches in Sri Lanka after the bombings. Thus Sri Lanka
The team qualified for the quarter finals without playing a single game.
Along with 9 Test playing nations, Kenya, Netherlands and UAE qualified through the 1994 ICC Trophy. It was in this series that the serial hero award was given for the first time. Sri Lanka’s action opener Sanath Jayasuriya bagged the man of the series award. He was also gifted an Audi car.
In 1996, the Sri Lankan team won the World Cup when nobody expected even a cent. Although they have already participated in many World Cup matches, there is no doubt that the reason for the success of the Sri Lankan team, which is coming out of the league round, is the wonderful performance of captain Arjuna Ranatunga, opener Sanath Jayasuriya, all-rounder Aravinda de Silva and the efficient leadership of coach Dave Watmore.
At the end of the league matches, India, Sri Lanka, Australia and West Indies from Group A and South Africa, Pakistan, New Zealand and England from Group B advanced to the quarter finals.
In the quarter-finals, England was defeated by Sri Lanka, South Africa by West Indies and New Zealand by Australia. At the end of the 2nd quarter, the teams of India and Pakistan clashed. India beat Pakistan by 39 runs to advance to the semi-finals. Navjot Sidhu played superbly and scored 93 runs. In the semi-finals, Australia beat India, Sri Lanka and West Indies to advance to the finals.
The final was held at the Lahore Stadium in Pakistan. Batting first, Australia scored 241 runs for the loss of 7 wickets. Sri Lanka who played later lost only 3 wickets and reached the target. Aravinda de Silva scored 107 runs and Arjuna Ranatunga scored 47 runs to lead the team to victory. Aravinda de Silva won the man of the match award by taking 3 wickets while bowling.
Aravinda de Silva scored 484 runs in the series and became the second highest run scorer in the series. Sachin Tendulkar topped the list with 523 runs. The entire Indian fans shed tears as the Indian team, which was considered as one of the teams that could win the trophy, lost in the semi-final.
Achievement upon achievement…: Sri Lanka made many achievements in this World Cup. No World Cup had been won by the host nation before 1996. Sri Lanka broke that record. And no team has ever won the trophy by chasing the target in the final. The Sri Lankan team also created that record. Apart from that, the Sri Lankan team had won all the matches of the World Cup. The team did not lose any match.
Vinod Kambli Tears: The Indian team was led by Mohammad Azharuddin. In the semi-final, India and Sri Lanka clashed in Kolkata. Sri Lanka batting first scored 251 runs. After Sachin’s dismissal, the Indian team was struggling for 120 runs in 35 overs. Cricket-thirsty Kolkata fans rioted on the ground and threw fruits and plastic bottles.
This stopped the game. Match referee Clive Lloyd declared that Sri Lanka had won when the match was too late to continue. Indian fans burst into tears. Vinod Kambli left the field in tears.
Brilliant Jayasuriya…: In this match, Sanath Jayasuriya played in a way that no one expected. Playing with the full support of coach David Watmore and captain Arjuna Ranatunga, Jayasuriya showed action throughout the series. The opening batsman Romesh Kaluwitharana scored runs in the first 15 overs to help Sri Lanka win.
Participating Teams: India, Sri Lanka, Australia, West Indies, Zimbabwe, Kenya, South Africa, Pakistan, New Zealand, England, UAE.
Finals:
More runs, more wickets
