5 times favourites blew their chances of winning the World Cup

#2 Pakistan & India (1987)

Gooch's sublime century and Veletta's decisive cameo stunned India and Pakistan respectively

November 8, 1987 - the day was supposed to witness a World Cup final between perennial foes India and Pakistan at the iconic Eden Gardens. What could possibly go wrong?

While the Indians were the defending champions at that time, Imran Khan's troops acquired legions of fans across the subcontinent through their charismatic brand of cricket. Countless people in the region were holding their breath for such a dream final.

Instead, what they got was an unexpected tussle between Australia and England for a shot at the title.

Pakistan and Australia contested the first semi-final at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore. When it seemed like the tourists were heading for a sub-par total, the unfancied Mike Veletta played the most crucial knock of the entire tournament and wrested momentum from the home team.

Although Imran and Javed Miandad threatened to pull off the stiff chase, the Aussies hung on to register a narrow victory. Allan Border's team would eventually go on to lift the trophy.

With the experienced Graham Gooch showing the way by scoring a splendid century, England's batting lineup negated the spin threats of Maninder Singh and Ravi Shastri by employing the sweep shot to perfection during the other semi-final.

When the turn of the bowlers came, they kept chipping away at frequent intervals to derail India's chase. Azharuddin's rapid 64 was not enough to prevent a 35-run defeat for the hosts.