The ICC Cricket World Cup is the biggest and most prestigious event in the cricketing world. It is a quadrennial tournament that brings together the best teams and players from around the globe. Since its inception in 1975, the Cricket World Cup has witnessed many thrilling matches, stunning performances, and unforgettable moments. Here are the 10 greatest moments in Cricket World Cup history that every cricket fan should know.

1. Kapil Dev’s 175* against Zimbabwe in 1983
   India were in a precarious situation in their group match against Zimbabwe in the 1983 World Cup. They had lost their top order for just 17 runs and were staring at an early exit from the tournament. However, Kapil Dev, the captain and all-rounder, had other plans. He played a sensational innings of 175 not out off 138 balls, hitting 16 fours and six sixes. He rescued India from 78 for 7 to 266 for 8 and helped them win the match by 31 runs. It was the highest individual score in a World Cup match at that time and is widely regarded as one of the greatest innings of all time.
2. Javed Miandad’s last-ball six against India in 1986
   Although not a World Cup match, this moment deserves a mention as it was one of the most dramatic finishes in cricket history. Pakistan needed four runs to win off the last ball of the Austral-Asia Cup final against India in Sharjah. Javed Miandad, the Pakistan captain and batsman, was on strike against Chetan Sharma, the Indian medium-pacer. Sharma bowled a full toss and Miandad smashed it over the mid-wicket boundary for a six. Pakistan won the match by one wicket and Miandad became a hero for his country.
3. Imran Khan’s inspirational speech and performance in 1992
   Pakistan were struggling in the 1992 World Cup and had won only one of their first five matches. They needed to win their remaining four matches to qualify for the semi-finals. Imran Khan, the Pakistan captain and all-rounder, gave a motivational speech to his team before their crucial match against Australia. He told them to play like “cornered tigers” and fight till the end. His words inspired his team and they won all their remaining matches, including the final against England. Imran Khan led from the front and scored 72 runs and took one wicket in the final. He lifted the World Cup trophy for Pakistan for the first time
4. Brian Lara’s 111 against South Africa in 1996
   Brian Lara, the West Indies captain and batsman, was in sublime form in the 1996 World Cup. He scored three centuries in the tournament, including a masterful 111 against South Africa in the quarter-final. Lara single-handedly took on the formidable South African bowling attack and scored more than half of his team’s total of 264. He hit 16 fours in his innings and played some exquisite shots all around the ground. His century helped West Indies win the match by 19 runs and reach the semi-final.
5. Lance Klusener’s heroics against Australia in 1999
   Lance Klusener, the South Africa all-rounder, was the star of the 1999 World Cup. He scored 281 runs at an average of 140.50 and a strike rate of 122.17. He also took 17 wickets at an average of 20.58 and an economy rate of 4.61. He was named the player of the tournament for his outstanding performance. However, his most memorable moment came in the semi-final against Australia. South Africa needed nine runs to win off the last over with one wicket in hand. Klusener smashed the first two balls for fours and tied the scores. However, he was involved in a run-out on the fourth ball and the match ended in a tie. Australia advanced to the final on a superior net run rate and went on to win the World Cup.
6. MS Dhoni’s six against Sri Lanka in 2011
   MS Dhoni, the India captain and wicket-keeper batsman, played one of the most iconic innings in World Cup history in the final against Sri Lanka in 2011. Chasing 275 to win, India were in trouble at 114 for 3 when Dhoni promoted himself ahead of Yuvraj Singh and joined Gautam Gambhir at the crease. Dhoni played a calm and composed innings of 91 not out off 79 balls and forged a match-winning partnership of 109 with Gambhir. He finished the match with a six over long-on off Nuwan Kulasekara and sent the whole nation into a frenzy. India won the World Cup after 28 years and Dhoni became a legend for his captaincy and batting.

7. Kevin O’Brien’s 113 against England in 2011
   Kevin O’Brien, the Ireland batsman, stunned the cricket world with his incredible innings of 113 against England in the 2011 World Cup. Ireland were chasing a mammoth target of 328 and were reduced to 111 for 5 when O’Brien came to the crease. He launched a furious assault on the English bowlers and smashed the fastest century in World Cup history off just 50 balls. He hit 13 fours and six sixes in his innings and helped Ireland chase down the target with five balls to spare. It was the highest successful run chase in World Cup history and one of the greatest upsets of all time.
8. Carlos Brathwaite’s four sixes against England in 2016
   Carlos Brathwaite, the West Indies all-rounder, etched his name in cricket folklore with his sensational hitting in the final of the 2016 World T20 against England. West Indies needed 19 runs to win off the last over with four wickets in hand. Brathwaite was on strike against Ben Stokes, the England fast bowler. Brathwaite smashed the first four balls of the over for sixes and sealed the victory for West Indies with two balls to spare. He scored 34 not out off just 10 balls and gave West Indies their second World T20 title.
9. Ben Stokes’ unbeaten 84 against New Zealand in 2019
   Ben Stokes, the England all-rounder, played a heroic innings of unbeaten 84 against New Zealand in the final of the 2019 World Cup. England were chasing 242 to win and were in trouble at 86 for 4 when Stokes joined Jos Buttler at the crease. Stokes played a composed and determined innings and kept England in the hunt till the end. He was involved in a crucial partnership of 110 with Buttler and a controversial incident of six runs from a deflection off his bat. He took the match to a tie and then played another superb knock of eight not out in the Super Over. England won the World Cup on boundary count after both teams scored 15 runs in the Super Over.
10. Grant Elliott’s six against South Africa in 2015
    Grant Elliott, the New Zealand batsman, played a match-winning innings of 84 not out against South Africa in the semi-final of the 2015 World Cup. New Zealand were chasing 298 to win in a rain-reduced match of 43 overs per side and were in a tight spot at 149 for 4 when Elliott came to bat. He played a calm and calculated innings and took New Zealand closer to the target with some sensible batting. He hit a six off Dale Steyn, the South African fast bowler, on the penultimate ball of the match and sent New Zealand into their first World Cup final. He also showed great sportsmanship by consoling Steyn after hitting the winning shot.

Source:
(1) Greatest Moments | Men’s Cricket World Cup 2023. .
(2) 2023/24 ICC Cricket World Cup –
(3) 13,157 Cricket World Cup Winning
(4) 100 Iconic Cricket Photos That Every Fan Should See. .

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