An absolute spectacle at Lord’s on July 14 was decided on the back of a boundary rule, as England emerged victorious over New Zealand in the 2019 Cricket World Cup final. Though many didn’t expect, the encounter turned out to be arguably the best and the most controversial finale ever played, replete with both passion and drama.
After almost a theatrical end to proceedings, we have curated something special for all the fans out there. Through the month-and-a-half of action, there were several instances which can well and truly be juxtaposed with a blockbuster movie. Thus, read on to find out which film your favourite team could have easily featured in.
Pakistan: DEJA VU
Starting with the very obvious, Pakistan’s 2019 World Cup tenure will be largely remembered for their strange resemblance to the 1992 squad, who had gone on to lift the World Cup. Much like the film or say the term ‘Déjà vu’, several Pakistani fans had the feeling that the moment has been lived before. Unfortunately for them, reality struck, and the conclusion wasn’t what they were hoping for.
Afghanistan: GONE WITH THE WIND
The title ‘Gone with the wind’ may represent Afghanistan’s swift elimination from the tournament after losing all of their nine league stage fixtures. But in some sense, it also plays a strange correspondence to the plot of the film.
Exactly as how Scarlett O'Hara, the protagonist in the film, takes us through her tragic history during the Civil War and reconstruction, Afghanistan’s brutal history followed by an incredible success story of cricket is a perfect resemblance in that manner.
Bangladesh: I AM LEGEND
Not something particularly related to an apocalypse, but Will Smith’s ‘I Am Legend’ perfectly constitutes how Shakib Al Hasan was the lone survivor in Bangladesh’s team. Right from leading their batting contingent to delivering with the ball, it was all his work on the back of which the Bangla Tigers survived in the World Cup. To add to it, the gloomy conclusion of both the film and Bangladesh’s tenure is indistinguishable as well.
Read | World Cup 2019: Team of the tournament
India: I AM NUMBER FOUR
Branded as firm favourites to win the title, India’s only problem in the tournament was their ‘Number 4’ conundrum, which reminds us of the film, you guessed it - ‘I Am Number Four’. Just as John Smith, the protagonist, India kept on moving from one option to another for their Number 4 slot in order to stay away from the merciless enemies. Contrary to the film though, which has a happy ending, India learnt their lesson the hard way.
Sri Lanka: ONCE A WARRIOR
As the name suggests, Sri Lanka – once an Asian powerhouse – now find themselves in the midst of heavy criticism. As of now, the Islanders are nothing but an outcast in the cricket world, just like the Heke family in the film, ‘Once a Warrior’.
South Africa: THE FAULT IN OUR STARS
Excluding the blueprint of terminally ill characters, the title ‘The Fault in Our Stars’ itself justifies South Africa’s 2019 World Cup tenure to mere perfection. Arriving at the scene as one star-studded unit, none of the big names turned up when it mattered the most. But well, there’s always something extremely wicked with South Africa and ICC events.
West Indies: HANGOVER
Let’s just put it this way; a bunch of friends went for a trip and messed things up. One of them leads the group from the front; wants everything to go as swiftly as possible (Jason Holder). While there’s this other guy who’s joined them just for the party (Chris Gayle). And the third one wants to contribute but ends up adding more to the chaos (Shannon Gabriel).
Not to forget the fourth one who remains missing for most of the tenure (Andre Russell).
Case rested.
Australia: AMERICAN BEAUTY
American Beauty’s storyline is solely based on how Lester Burnham, the protagonist, loses the plot after living a near-perfect life for ages. For Australia, they have enjoyed the crown of being the World Champion for far too long. It’s time for a change, just like in Lester’s life. And while there are some who gulp the fact quite too easily, a change in the Australian squad – especially after the comeback of Steve Smith and David Warner – has affected the team in one way or the other; much like Lester’s life.
New Zealand: A FEW GOOD MEN
Sometimes, it's difficult to choose who was in the right and who was in the wrong or even who deserved to win or who deserved to lose. That is the case with this New Zealand setup, who ended up losing despite being a bunch of 'A few good men.'
Some say luck. We say a film’s premise.
England: RISE OF AN EMPIRE
Following their 2015 World Cup horror, it was time for Eoin Morgan – or say Themistocles of ‘300: The Rise of an Empire’ – to reunite the squad of greats to fight against the invasion of other teams (in the film’s context, the Persians). Trying as hard as they can, The Three Lions emerged from the shadows to become the new World Champions.
