On this day, 1996, UAE captain Sultan Zarawani did something utterly ridiculous during a World Cup match.
He ended up paying a price.
But before that, I must mention that Gary Kirsten scored 188 not out the same day.
It was then the record individual score in the World Cup.
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He ended up paying a price.
But before that, I must mention that Gary Kirsten scored 188 not out the same day.
It was then the record individual score in the World Cup.
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Kirsten could even have got the then world record of 190.
He needed four off the last ball, but despite a fumble, the square-leg fielder restricted him to two.
But let us return to the Zarawani moment..
UAE were never in the hunt after South Africa piled on 321/2.
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He needed four off the last ball, but despite a fumble, the square-leg fielder restricted him to two.
But let us return to the Zarawani moment..
UAE were never in the hunt after South Africa piled on 321/2.
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They were soon left reeling at 68/6.
At this point Zarawani channeled his inner Richie Richardson by walking out.
In a sunhat. To face Allan Donald.
It would have looked extremely cool had he been an excellent player of fast bowling.
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At this point Zarawani channeled his inner Richie Richardson by walking out.
In a sunhat. To face Allan Donald.
It would have looked extremely cool had he been an excellent player of fast bowling.
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Unfortunately, with bat, Zarawani was more Patrick Patterson than Richie Richardson.
The South Africans were probably as confused as the crowd.
Pat Symcox, fielding as substitute, urged Donald to go for it: "Al, this guy's asking for it."
So Donald bounced.
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The South Africans were probably as confused as the crowd.
Pat Symcox, fielding as substitute, urged Donald to go for it: "Al, this guy's asking for it."
So Donald bounced.
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Zarawani was simply not quick enough to move away (really, what was he thinking?).
The ball hit him on the head, knocking his hat off.
Donald was terrified. He thought he might have killed Zarawani ("made the most horrible thud when it hit him").
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The ball hit him on the head, knocking his hat off.
Donald was terrified. He thought he might have killed Zarawani ("made the most horrible thud when it hit him").
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The South African fielders converged around him.
To his credit, Zarawani recovered, announcing he was fine.
He even continued to bat.
Symcox insisted on an encore, but Donald refused.
To nobody's surprise, Zarawani fell for a duck.
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To his credit, Zarawani recovered, announcing he was fine.
He even continued to bat.
Symcox insisted on an encore, but Donald refused.
To nobody's surprise, Zarawani fell for a duck.
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At 72/8, it seemed UAE may not last their 50 overs, but Arshad Laeeq (43*) and Shaukat Dukanwala (40*) did well.
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