"Who rules the world, gotta see who rules the world," -- there is hardly any Pakistani who doesn’t feel nostalgic after listening to these lines from the theme song of the 1992 Cricket World Cup.

For a Pakistani cricket follower, everything attached to 1992 Cricket World Cup is memorable, but the glimpse of Ramiz Raja taking a running catch of Richard Illingworth is the most unforgettable moment.

‘The News on Sunday’ recently spoke with Ramiz on his experience of the 1992 World Cup. Here are some excerpts from the interview in which the former captain tells us how the team managed to recover after a poor start.

The News On Sunday: Ramiz, Pakistan were struggling with fitness issues, were considered underdogs, didn’t start well, so what was players’ state of mind in the initial stage of the tournament?

Ramiz Raja: We always tried to remain positive, although after initial defeats there was some pressure, but we coped up with it well. We did self-accountability and realised our mistakes and rectified them. We told ourselves that this was once in a lifetime chance and we had to do it for the country. I am glad that we did it. The way we fought back to win the tournament showed how positive we were.

TNS: While the team was struggling, how did Imran Khan motivate you?

RR: Imran played an important role in lifting our morale up. He was the one who kept saying, "We will win the World Cup" despite the losing streak. He motivated us, made us realise what we were capable of. Another motivating factor was a Qawwali by Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan "Allah Hoo, Allah Hoo". That Qawwali helped keeping inner calmness.

TNS: How will you describe Pakistan’s success in 1992 World Cup?

RR: We were not the best team, but we were the luckiest team. We didn’t start well, then rain came to rescue us and then we were left dependent on the result of another team, so luck factor was there; plus, we clicked on right time and then we didn’t look back. We never gave up, and that’s the key to success.

TNS: Ramiz, you mentioned "depending on another team’s result". How was the environment when Australia were playing West Indies?

RR: It was the same day when we won our match against New Zealand, in Christchurch. We came back to the hotel after playing the match and remained glued to the TV screens to see the outcome of that. West Indies were chasing a target of 217 runs; a win would take them to the semi-finals, so it was very tense moment for us. I was walking from here to there; after every wicket I went to the rooms of teammates in excitement and as soon as Australia won the match, we started celebrating. I remember that soon after the match ended, we went downstairs to the hotel’s disco and danced a lot to celebrate it.

TNS: Ramiz, the top-shot of you running and grabbing catch of Richard Illingworth is still fresh in our memories. Do you consider it your best moment in World Cup 1992?

RR: That catch sealed Pakistan’s win, so it got the fame, but I think that my 44 off 55 balls versus New Zealand in the semi-final was more important, and also the century I scored against New Zealand before the semi-final game. These two innings were crucial and came in the right time. I, personally, would rate my batting in the semi-final as more significant than any other of my individual performances in the tournament.

I think my performance in 1992 World Cup was satisfactory. I scored two centuries. Although we lost one of the match when I scored a hundred, but scoring 100 against West Indies was never easy in the ‘90s. Only two players scored more than one century in World Cup 1992, and I was one of them -- the other was David Boon. Collectively I scored around 350 runs with an average of above 50 (349 runs, with average 58.16 to be exact) to finish among the top five run-getters of the tournament. So, I think my performance in the tournament was quite satisfactory.

TNS: Who do you think was Pakistan’s man of the tournament in 1992 World Cup?

RR: You can’t pick one. Inzamam-ul-Haq, Javed Miandad and Wasim Akram played vital role in Pakistan’s success. Javed Miandad batted well throughout the tournament. Inzamam’s batting in the semi-final was crucial -- we wouldn’t have qualified for the final if Inzy had not played that brilliant knock there. And then Wasim Akram’s bowling in the final. All of them played their part.

TNS: But Inzamam-ul-Haq must be Pakistan’s find of the tournament.  He was a young inclusion in the team. How was the treatment he got?

RR: Certainly he was Pakistan’s find of the tournament. He’s one of the finest batsmen we ever got. His reflexes made him better than us. I remember when we used to practice playing bouncers with a tennis ball, he used to hit it to mid-wicket, while we were getting balls on our helmet. I would also add that Imran Khan played an important role in using Inzamam’s skills in 1992 World Cup. Inzy couldn’t perform initially but Imran kept saying that he’s going to be the match winner for Pakistan. Some of the seniors were not happy to see Imran’s unconditional support to Inzamam, but in the end Inzamam performed and proved his mettle.

TNS: What from Pakistan’s victory in 1992 should be an inspiration for team Pakistan in 2015 World Cup?

RR: I think the fact that anyone can win the World Cup should be the motivating factor for Pakistan. Pakistan’s current squad is better than Pakistan’s 1992 team. I believe Pakistan players should keep their morale high; they should know that they can win this tournament. Pakistan may not be the best team of this tournament, but being not the best doesn’t mean you can’t beat the best. In events like World cup anything can happen; a good match, a good individual performance or even a good catch can make it happen for you. Players should know that performance on stage of World Cup will be remembered forever, so put all of your efforts and win it.