The 99 campaign started for Pakistan on a high note, they won the triangular series in India against India and Sri-Lanka. They entered the world cup full of confidence and vigor, poised to do well, and indeed they did do well and qualified for the final of the competition. Loyal fans were expecting a grueling contest between a talented and enthusiastic Pakistani side and an equally matched methodical opponent in Australia. Against all expectations the final turned out to be a dull one-sided affair and the men in green were handed an embarrassing 8-wicket defeat.
Next the team went to Sharjah to participate in a tri-nations cup against West Indies and Sri-Lanka. Here too the Paki's performed well in the preliminary rounds and won three out their four matches and drew one in an exciting finish against Sri-Lanka. They entered the final as hot favorites but disappointed yet again. The Pakis scored a smallish total and the Sri-lankans got of to a flyer Aravinda Desilva and K'withrana were running away with the match until both were given out under controversial circumstances. As it turned out the Pakistan team won the match and with it the cup. Had the decisions gone the other way who knows what Srilanka might have done.
Basking in the glory of recent success the team went down-under to take part in the Carlton & United series against Australia and India. Few were surprised when Pakistan managed to reach yet another final but this time they had two shots at the money. But alas the same sordid saga was repeated and the Pakis were handed humiliating defeats in both the finals.
To me this seems to be the start of a trend which could continue if the players are not trained to handle the hype of the grand finale of a tournament. I sure hope they kick this habit of losing finals in the near future because if they don't they might as well find themselves out the team.
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