Greatest Cricket Moments

Saeed Anwar 113* — Manchester Semi-Final, 1999 World Cup

1999-06-16Pakistan vs New Zealand1st Semi-Final, 1999 Cricket World Cup2 min readSeverity: Serious

Summary

On June 16, 1999, Saeed Anwar carried his bat through Pakistan's innings, scoring 113 not out off 148 balls to set up a nine-wicket win over New Zealand at Old Trafford and put Pakistan into the World Cup final. It was his second hundred in successive World Cup matches, after 103 against Zimbabwe four days earlier — a feat previously achieved only by Mark Waugh in 1996.

Background

Anwar had scored 194 in Chennai in May 1997, the world ODI record at the time. By 1999 he was 30, the senior left-handed opener in world cricket. The 1999 World Cup was his fourth and the only one in which he reached the final.

Build-Up

Pakistan had topped the Super Six stage, beating Australia, New Zealand and Zimbabwe. Anwar's 103 vs Zimbabwe four days earlier had begun his hot run. New Zealand had qualified for the semi-final after a turbulent campaign featuring Geoff Allott's joint-record 20 wickets.

What Happened

Pakistan won the toss and elected to bowl. New Zealand made 241 for 7 in 50 overs, with Roger Twose 46, Chris Cairns 44 not out and Stephen Fleming 41. Pakistan's reply began with the partnership that defined the campaign: Saeed Anwar and Wajahatullah Wasti added 194 for the first wicket — the highest opening stand in World Cup semi-final history at that time. Wasti made 84 off 138 balls, supporting Anwar through the dangerous Geoff Allott opening burst. After Wasti fell, Inzamam-ul-Haq joined Anwar and added 48 in just 7 overs. Anwar himself was technically perfect: leaving everything outside off, driving Allott and Cairns down the ground, working the singles in the V. He reached his hundred in 130 balls and finished 113 not out from 148, with 11 fours. Pakistan reached 242 for 1 in 47.3 overs — a nine-wicket win, fastest semi-final chase in World Cup history. Anwar carried his bat: he was the only Pakistani out of the top order to face the entire innings.

Key Moments

1

New Zealand 241/7 in 50 overs

2

Anwar-Wasti opening stand of 194 — World Cup semi-final record

3

Wasti out for 84 off 138

4

Anwar 100 off 130 balls

5

Anwar 113* off 148 balls; Inzamam supports late

6

Pakistan 242/1 in 47.3 overs — nine-wicket win

7

Pakistan into final at Lord's

Timeline

June 12, 1999

Anwar scores 103 vs Zimbabwe in Pakistan's Super Six match.

June 16, 1999

Semi-final at Old Trafford. NZ 241/7; Pakistan 242/1; Anwar 113*.

June 20, 1999

Final at Lord's — Pakistan 132 all out, lose by 8 wickets.

Notable Quotes

“He played within himself. He didn't need to take risks. He just kept going.”

— Wasim Akram, Pakistan captain

“When Saeed bats like that, no one in the world can stop him.”

— Inzamam-ul-Haq

Aftermath

Pakistan went to Lord's for the June 20 final against Australia. The campaign collapsed in the final — Pakistan all out 132 in 39 overs, beaten by eight wickets — but Anwar had delivered Pakistan to within one match of the trophy. He scored 368 runs in the tournament at an average of 52.57. He was named in the 1999 Wisden Cricketers of the Year shortly after.

⚖️ The Verdict

A masterclass in semi-final batting — calm, technically immaculate, finishing not out in a chase. Anwar's purest World Cup innings and the high point of his ODI career outside the 194 in Chennai.

Legacy & Impact

Anwar's 113 not out is regularly listed among the great World Cup knockout innings — alongside Aravinda 107 (1996 final), Lance Klusener 31* (1999 SF), Ricky Ponting 140 (2003 final), MS Dhoni 91 (2011 final). Carrying the bat in a semi-final chase is unique to Anwar in World Cup history.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many consecutive World Cup hundreds did Anwar score?▾
Two — 103 vs Zimbabwe (June 12) and 113* vs New Zealand (June 16). Mark Waugh had been the only previous batter to score consecutive World Cup hundreds, in 1996.
Did Anwar carry his bat?▾
Yes. He was unbeaten on 113 when Pakistan completed their nine-wicket chase in 47.3 overs. He had faced the first ball of the innings and was still at the crease at the winning runs.

Tags

#saeed-anwar#pakistan#new-zealand#1999-world-cup#manchester#old-trafford#iconic-moment#semi-final#wasim-akram

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