“Next time, send in your mother in law to bat” or words to that effect is what Ian Botham heard as he left the field in the World Cup final in 1992.

A few months later, the same words must be floating around in his head as his mind registered the searing pain associated with a Waqar Younis toe crusher! The injury and a lacklustre performance in that match also signalled the end of Bothams illustrious test career. A legend bowed out in a most ordinary fashion as 2 new Goliaths of world cricket took the throne in style.

For the summer of 1992 was the summer that Pakistan finally arrived in England. Yes we had won matches in England before but there was always a feeling that these were mere flashes of brilliance – a fantastic bowling performance here and a century there – a test victory followed by mediocre performance in another game – and so on. We all knew we were good but playing and winning a series in England was a different story.

All that changed in 1992.

Pakistan arrived in England, bouyed by their victory in the World Cup but without their charismatic skipper, Imran Khan. He had announced his retirement after the World Cup victory and Miandad was appointed captain on this tour. Pakistan's bowling power, already capably handled by Wasim and Aaqib and supported by likes of Mushtaq Ahmed was further strengthened by a rejuvenated Waqar Younis.

Not many people had heard about Waqar Younis, especially since he did not feature in the now famous World Cup victory but as Pakistani fans, we knew if there ever was a chance to stamp our authority on England, this was it !

The series began with a high scoring draw at Edgbaston and then came a victory at Lords in a most Pakistani fashion. While Waqar and Wasim toiled away and set up what would be seemingly a walk in the park, with 13 wickets between themselves through a fine display of fiery fast bowling - the notorious Pakistani batting ensured that the 141 runs needed to win were gained after a lot of drama. In the end the 2Ws came to our rescue with a bat in hand, after we had collapsed and help us scrape home with 2 wickets in hand !

The next 2 tests yielded another draw and a victory for England at Leeds. "Uh Oh", we said , "'ere we go again". It seemed at this point, that the bad old days of Pakistan cricket had returned.

Then came the final test at Oval.

I recall driving one afternoon and listening to the commentary on many of those days - almost letting go of the steering wheel of my car to clench my fists to heavens - as the commentators shouted "BOWLED by Wasim (or Waqar) !" The sheer excitement associated with that little lull in the radio commentary as one waited for Waqar or Wasim to bowl their deliveries, followed by the roar of the crowd as another stump went flying was enough to give anyone a heart attack. If you were a Pakistani supporter in those days, you could be forgiven for strutting around London - so great was that feeling of joy!

Pakistan won that test at Oval and the series - Once again the 2Ws took 15 wickets between themselves! It wasnt a white wash by any means but the manner in which there victories were achieved by the speed demons of Pakistani cricket totally changed the level of our expectations - forever!

The series may have been a great memory for us but it ended on a sour note with allegations of ball tampering by UK tabloids, fuelled by some jealous personalities in the English camp who had never forgiven us for the victory in the World Cup finals.

Like bolts of lightning from a clear sky or Exocet missiles in stormy seas, the summer of 1992 saw Waqar and Wasim defy logic and physics with their unplayable deliveries. New terms were invented by the hour to describe this phenomenon – thus, “toe crusher” or “banana swing” and “inswinging yorker” became part of ordinary dinner conversation that summer. Academics started to explain the trajectory of these balls with thesis upon thesis based upon wind tunnels and whatever piece of weird science that they could get their hands on.

Fact of the matter is that for all talk of scientific and not so scientific ways and the controversies that followed, including a snide remark or 2 by some of the more distinguished commentators of that erea - no one and I mean no one, could explain how the ball could be made to swing in the manner it did - perhaps it was slight of hand or wrist or maybe something more sinister, the ball would only behave that way in the hands of Wasim and Waqar. Such was control and mastery of their art. Whether it was Imran or Sarfraz who helped guide these 2 giants of world cricket, what really mattered was the execution of their technique.

The summer of 1992 belonged to Wasim and Waqar and many such Summers and Winters would follow - but for those lucky and privileged enough to have experienced the thrill of following these matches, either on the grounds or anywhere else in the world, there would never be a summer like that again!