March 4, 1992. Sydney. As India played Pakistan for the very first time in a World Cup match, Javed Miandad and Kiran More had a difference of opinions.

The personal confrontation was not exactly the clash of giants there, but sparks did fly … and ended up making the ageing Pakistani master look rather silly.

Incense at the animated appealing of More, Miandad reacted. As a young Sachin Tendulkar ran in to bowl Miandad suddenly pulled away. Turning towards More, the Pakistani pro asked what seemed to be some pretty pointed questions. More’s answers were not exactly brimming with apology. After the rather needless exchange of words, Miandad pointed towards More and complained eloquently to the umpire. More retorted with a gesture that made no secret of his exasperation with the batsman.

Luckily the umpire in question was David Shepherd, the most unflappable official around. He simply asked the players to get on with the game.

Miandad pushed the next ball towards mid-off and took off for a single, and made a fast turn and got back to his crease as the throw came in quickly. More whipped off the bails, with Miandad well inside — and this did not amuse the batsman either.

It was now that Miandad went through the peculiar leaps that have been packaged as one of the landmark slapstick moments of cricket history. The two ends of the bat clutched in two hands, the batsman executed several spot jumps, bringing his knees up to touch his chest. Apparently it was supposed to mimic More’s appeals, but as imitation left a lot to be desired, looking more like the impersonation of a bush kangaroo.

It perhaps did not do wonders for international relations, but continues to be an oft-viewed and recounted sequence that has been reduced to hilarity. Thankfully, that was the last of the unwanted demonstrations, and the game continued.

Text: Arunabha Sengupta

Illustration: Maha