1975

Pakistan recorded an emphatic 192-win over Sri Lanka in their last match at the inaugural World Cup in 1975. But their victory had no bearing on the outcome of the tournament, as the event was played on format which saw the top two teams in each of the two groups progress to the semi-finals.

1979

Gordon Greenidge and Colin Croft combined to give the mighty West Indians a 43-run win over a spirit Pakistan side in the second semi-final of the 1979 World Cup. Clive Lloyd's side amassed 293 from their 60 overs while batting first, Greenidge top scoring with 73 runs. In reply, Majid Khan and Zaheer Abbas scored 81 and 93, respectively, but did not find any support from the other batsman after Croft ripped the top order apart.

1983

The same sides met again in the 1983 World Cup semi-final and the result this time was much more comprehensive for the Calypso Kings. Pakistan were bowled out for 184 after Malcolm Marshall picked up three wickets. In response, Viv Richards smacked 80 off 96 balls to take the West Indies home comfortably.

1987

Pakistan, losing semi-finalists in 1979 and 1983, again failed to reach the World Cup final. They were beaten by a superior all-round performance as Border's Australian side, scarcely rated at the start of the tournament, came of age, the Wisden reports of the match. A young Craig McDermott was the hero this time, picking up five wickets as Pakistan succumbed to an 18-run loss at Lahore.

1992

Pakistan's greatest cricketing moment came at the next World Cup.

ICC's greatest World Cup moments series gives the background: Pakistan entered the tournament having already suffered a huge blow, with Waqar Younis, the fastest bowler in the world then, ruled out with a stress fracture. As the tournament got underway, Pakistan won just one of five matches, and was bowled out for 74 by England, with only rain saving the day and giving the side one vital point because of abandonment.

With the team down, Imran delivered his famous pep that still reverberates, urging his team to act like “cornered tigers” and leading to a complete turnaround in fortunes. Pakistan won its next four matches on the trot – against Australia, Sri Lanka and twice against New Zealand including a semifinal – to seal a date with England in the final, which they won by 22 runs.

1996

In a thrilling encounter in Bangalore Pakistan faced off against India in the quarter-final. The match ended in another loss for the Greenshirts to India at World Cup finals.

The Wisden report puts it aptly: This encounter inspired high passions which boiled over back in Pakistan after India won. One fan reportedly shot his television and then himself, while captain Wasim Akram was burned in effigy. Wasim was not even playing, having ruptured his side muscles, but conspiracy theorists, fuelled by the previous year's allegations of bribery, speculated that he might have withdrawn deliberately, a charge he indignantly denied. In fact, the game looked keenly contested and turned into a thriller.

1999

Pakistan fielded arguably its best side at the 1999 World Cup. A star studded cast, led by Wasim Akram, looked all set to regain the glory of 92 before the capitulated in the final to Australia.

2003

In a do-or-die game against Zimbabwe, Pakistan were washed away by rain, ending their miserable campaign at the 2003 World Cup.

2007

There was more heartbreak for Pakistan at the 2007 edition, where not only were the knocked out by Ireland in the first round but also suffered the most tragic loss of their coach Bob Woolmer.

"I will never forget Bob," Younis Khan said after the tragedy.

2011

Pakistan looked good again in 2011 with a solid batting line and several match-winning bowling options. But as the dust settled in Mohali, they had failed to chase a target against India yet against after their 1992, 1996, 1999 attempts. Current captain Misbah-ul-Haq came in for a stick from experts and fans after that loss and so there will be a concerted effort by Pakistan to change the tide when they meet on February 15.

2015

This year, Pakistan looked lacklustre throughout the tournament and ended their World Cup dream in a quarter final against Australia. The match played on March 20, 2015 saw Pakistan lose their eighth consecutive game against the team from down under. The co-hosts, chasing Pakistan’s modest 213 all out, were reduced to 59 for three in the 11th over before Steve Smith and Shane Watson swung the match around with a fourth-wicket stand of 89.

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