Pakistan crashed in the semi-finals at the Oval (London), of the 1983 World Cup on June 22. Malcolm Marshall, arguably the fastest bowler in the world, jetted the West Indies to their third Prudential Cup final with a devastating performance. Pakistan were in no mood to argue about Marshall’s credentials as they crashed to an eight-wicket defeat at the Oval. The West Indies skipper, Clive Lloyd, said:
“I thought we bowled very well. Malcolm Marshall, in my book, is now the quickest man in the world.” “I am not surprised that we are facing India instead of England in the final. India has been playing well throughout the competition, and it will add extra spice to the final that they are the only 25-year-old Barbadian.
Pakistan did well to reach the target of 184/8 in 60 overs. If they had any doubts at all, the West Indies knew soon afterward that they would be traveling to Lord’s. That was the precise moment in the last bowl before lunch when Zaheer Abbas was clean-bowled by Larry Gomes with a ball tossed high to lure the brilliant batsman into a stumping. “I played a terrible shot. It was a bad mistake to go out in the last over before lunch,” groaned Zaheer.
He had made 30 runs of high promise while he was the side ever to beat us in the Prudential Cup battle.” Clive Lloyd dismissed suggestions that a groin strain collected while fielding against Pakistan would sideline him. “I don’t intend to miss what will be my last Prudential Cup final,” he grinned. But it might mean a fitness test at Lords. Marshall’s second spell, during which he claimed the wickets of Wasim Raja, Imran Khan, and Shahid Mehboob, for only three runs, did the damage. In the face of those 14 venomous deliveries from there, Pakistan clung to some hope.
Malcom Marshall’s reign of terror began in the 47th over when he had Imran caught at the wicket. The hero of Pakistan’s innings was opener Mohsin Khan, who carried his bat for 52 overs for a stubborn 70. The only time Pakistan again raised even a glimmer of hope was after they had both W. Indian openers, Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes, back in the pavilion for 54 after 20 overs.
However, that faint optimism became a sick joke as the prolific Viv Richards began to bombard the Pakistani bowling for a powerful and undefeated innings of 80 to follow his previous two knocks of 95 not out, against the Aussies and 119 against India. It now gives the prolific Antiguan the 400-pound man of the match award, although he agreed that colleague Marshall had made an equally significant contribution.
Read More: Vivian Richards – A Conquering Hero
