After Imran and Javed's departure Pakistan were on 197 for 4 and the responsibility fell on Wasim Akram and Inzamam-ul-Haq to step up the scoring and their stunning response left the England bowlers short of ideas.
Akram, who had aggregated 29 runs in his previous seven innings in the tournament, helped himself to an 18-ball 33 that included four boundaries, and added 52 runs in six overs with Inzamam. Akram was run out off the last ball of the innings, but by then he had done enough to set England a target of 250 runs.
Akram wasn't done yet though. At the breakfast table before a must-win game against Australia in the league phase, he had read Imran's comments in local newspapers, where the captain said, ‘I don't mind Wasim bowling no-balls as long as he bowls quick'. Imran's unconditional backing transformed Akram's mindset and he never looked back.
Fighting cramps in his hamstring, Akram consulted with Imran and decided to bowl from round the wicket and it proved to be a masterstroke.
Ian Botham was the first wicket to fall when he nicked a delivery that came back, and soon England was reduced to 69 for 4. Neil Fairbrother and Allan Lamb steadied England's innings with a 72-run stand, and as Imran was assessing his stocks at the drinks break Akram suggested that his captain bring him back into the attack.
