Today we talk about the best bowling spells at Cricket World Cup 1987. It was the time when the format of ODI had changed and the batsmen started dominating the bowlers. The 50 overs of the match looked very limited and it made the batsmen to have an aggressive approach against the bowlers.
But for the bowlers, it was a tough task to keep the batsmen under control and to get the team out at a lower score within 50 overs. And it made the ODIs entertaining when the bowlers accepted the challenge and bowled tremendously well and helped their teams reach the top during the tournament.
Best Bowling Spells at Cricket World Cup 1987
This table lists the top five players with the best bowling figures in the tournament.
| SN | BBF | Overs | Name | Team | Opponents | Stadium |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | 5/44 | 10 | Craig McDermott | Australia | Pakistan | Gaddaffi Stadium, Lahore |
| 2. | 4/19 | 8 | Manoj Prabhakar | India | Zimbabwe | Wankhede Stadium, Mumbai |
| 3. | 4/31 | 10 | Abdul Qadir | Pakistan | England | Pindi Club Ground, Rawalpindi |
| 4. | 4/37 | 8.3 | Imran Khan | Pakistan | West Indies | Gaddaffi Stadium, Lahore |
| 5. | 4/37 | 9 | Imran Khan | Pakistan | England | National Stadium, Karachi |
Read also: 1975 World Cup’s Highest Individual Scores
Imran Khan (Pakistan)
It was the match-winning performance of Imran Khan against England. Imran along with Abdul Qadir stopped the English team for 244 for 9 in 50 overs. It helped the Pakistani batsmen to build their innings and to win the match in 49th over of the match. Imran Khan was given the Man of the Match award for his spell of 9-0-37-4 wickets which was an outstanding performance. Among the best bowling spells at Cricket World Cup 1987.
Imran Khan (Pakistan)
In a thrilling match against West Indies, Pakistan won the match on the last ball, when Captain Imran Khan bowled one of the most effectual bowling spells against the mighty West Indies to get the prized wicket of Viv Richards. Imran Khan took 4 wickets off 37 runs in 8.3 overs & restricted West Indies to a lower score. It helped his team to fight back and to win an important match of the tournament. Among the best bowling spells at Cricket World Cup 1987.
Read also: 1975 Prudential Cricket World Cup: Highest Winning Margins
Abdul Qadir (Pakistan)
Abdul Qadir has time and again proved his ability to bowl well-controlled leg-spin bowling and to trouble the opponents during crucial matches. Pakistani team was dependent on Abdul Qadir during the World Cup tournament and Qadir never let his team down. His magical spell of 4 for 31 of 10 overs against England was a shocker. Qadir had also sparkled with the bat when he made 12 runs off 7 balls and gave his team the finishing touch for this required victory. Among the best bowling spells at Cricket World Cup 1987.
Manoj Prabhakar (India)
Prabhakar was a right-arm medium-pace bowler who shared Kapil Dev’s burden of fast bowling in most of the matches successfully. Manoj Prabhakar’s deadly bowling spell against Zimbabwe helped India win the match easily. His spell of 8-1-19-4 gave Manoj the Man of the Match award in the match which remained as a low-scoring match of the tournament.
Read also: Reliance World Cup ’87 – Most Wickets
Craig McDermott (Australia)
The Australian pacer had a fantastic tournament. His aggressive approach helped him while bowling, even under pressure. His excellent bowling action allowed him to swing the ball well. McDermott’s superb bowling spell of 10-0-44-5 against Pakistan in Pakistan remained one of the turning points for Australia at the initial stage in the tournament.
These were the 5 best bowling spells at Cricket World Cup 1987. Don’t forget to write in your comments.
#SportsCrunch: #DoYouKnow these 10 Unknown Facts About #CricketBalls? https://t.co/3EyzAEO7ZA
— SportsCrunch (@SportsCrunch) June 27, 2020