NEW DELHI: It was the stuff dreams are made of. When Mohammad Kaif and Zaheer Khan completed the winning runs for India in the NatWest Trophy final against England at Lord’s on July 13 in 2002, a glorious chapter was added to the history of Indian cricket.
Chasing 326 in 50 overs in a final against the home team is no joke. Kaif produced the innings of his life (87 not out) and put up an incredible 121-run stand with Yuvraj Singh off just 106 balls to bring India within striking distance of the gargantuan target. Although Yuvraj was dismissed after a brilliant 69, Kaif kept going strong and led India to a memorable victory.
After calling correctly at the coin toss, England opted to bat. Opener Marcus Trescothick and skipper Nasser Hussain struck centuries. Between them, the duo added 185 runs for the second wicket and allrounder Andrew Flintoff’s handy knock of 40 powered them to 325/5 in 50 overs.
What made the chase memorable was the fact that India slumped from a solid position after a whistling Virender Sehwag and captain Sourav Gangulystitched a century stand for the first wicket. But in the space of 10 overs, the complexion of the match took a dramatic turn with the big-four, Sehwag, Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar and Rahul Dravid, back in the dressing room in the blink of an eye.
At 146/5 in 24 overs, England were the clear favourites but Kaif and Yuvraj, still in their early twenties, stole the show. With just three balls remaining, India pulled off a great heist to win the three-nation tourney and an emotional Ganguly took his shirt off at the Lord’s balcony in wild celebrations.