Top 3 teams of the '90s?

[Suleiman]

Inspired by a thread about this millennium.

Am genuinely curious to learn who people think were the top 3 teams of the 90s, being born just a few years before the turn of the century I don’t have an opinion myself except from reading and watching iconic highlight games.

I want to see what people who’ve watched cricket in the 90s think about this.

Ofc I don’t discriminate, and like George Bush’s No Child Left Behind initiative, you’re entitled to post your thoughts even if you’re a millennial like me But I won’t take you seriously.

Seems like a very interesting era considering WI were past their peak and there was no cut and dry front runner.

 

[Hitman]

Australia were the overall best team of the 90's, closely followed by South Africa. I'm having a hard time taking the name of the third team. Pakistan were strong on paper but the results weren't as desirable.

 

[Markhor]

Australia, South Africa and Pakistan.

West Indies went on a sharp downward spiral after 1995.

 

[asifp]

Australia, South Africa and Pakistan.

West Indies went on a sharp downward spiral after 1995.

In ODI or Test or both?

I think across both the formats, Australia, South Africa and Pakistan were probably the best 3 of the 90s.

If talking about ODI, SriLanka might come into the equation as they revolutionized how the game is supposed to be played.

 

[asifp]

to add Pakistan had 16 series won, vs 8 lost in the 90s. There were big ones like 1992 win in England and NZ, but there two shocks. Series losses at home to SriLanka (twice) and Zimb.

The 90s Pakistan team was the definition of inconsistency. With players like Wasim/Waqar at their peak, a charging Akhtar, all round talent, we still managed way to lay a total egg.

 

[Buffet]

Inspired by a thread about this millennium.

Am genuinely curious to learn who people think were the top 3 teams of the 90s, being born just a few years before the turn of the century I don’t have an opinion myself except from reading and watching iconic highlight games.

I want to see what people who’ve watched cricket in the 90s think about this.

Answer to this question is as simple as answer to other thread. Top 3 over all teams were Aus, SA and Pakistan. I saw entire 90s and I have no doubt about it.

W/L of these 3 teams were higher than others in both formats. Same as other thread, it's hard to make a case for a 4th team here.

 

[Thomaskutty]

Australia
South Africa
SriLanka/Pakistan

 

[Buffet]

Australia were the overall best team of the 90's, closely followed by South Africa. I'm having a hard time taking the name of the third team. Pakistan were strong on paper but the results weren't as desirable.

I am not sure why it's even a debate. Pakistan was certainly the top 3 teams in 90s.

W/L in the test format,

SA - 2.2
Aus - 2.1
Pak - 1.5
WI - 1.0
Rest were below 1.0

----------------

W/L in ODO format:

SA - 1.8
Aus - 1.7
Pak - 1.3
WI - 1.0
Rest were below 1.0

Pakistan won a WC in 90s and was finalist in other. Pakistan did enough in 90s. Could have done better? sure, but did enough to be in top 3.

 

[TQ89]

Australia, South Africa & pakistan in all formats. West indies were strong in the first half but declined rapidly in the late 1990's otherwise they would have been third team in my opinion.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Australia, South Africa and Pakistan.

What's the debate about?

 

[ArsenalFC]

Many forget or are totally unaware that most of the top players that continued to play after the 1992 world cup made it because of Imran Khan's ability to spot talent and doing whatever it took to fast track them to the first team.

He fought against the advice given to him by the management and PCB with certain players for e.g. when he was told Inzy wasn't good enough because he was mentally weak.

His conviction and clarity of judgement was the reason why the likes of Wasim, Waqar, Inzy, Saeed Anwar, Mushtaq Ahmed, Moin Khan and etc were picked, groomed and developed to form a menacing Pakistan side of the 90s.

If only there was a captain who had his integrity, backbone and just half of his leadership ability, I have no doubts Pakistan would have won both 1996 and 1999 world cups and been neck and neck with Australia in both formats of the game.

It is for this reason why his side in the 80s (up until the 92 WC) was the golden generation of Pakistan cricket since they didn't underachieve unlike the Pakistan team to follow before the turn of the millennium who despite having a greater abundance of talent were the underachievers.

 

[big_gamer007]

South Africa were the strongest team however they did not have WC which is ultimate title in any non Olympic sport.. So I would give Australia the first spot for winning 1999, South Africa were second best..

Pakistan were third best however on paper again they were stronger than Australia and maybe on par with SA but underachieved with all the talent they had..

WI would probably be 4th till 1995 they were a top notch test team and throughout 90’s they were pretty good.

After you can say SL and slightly behind SL Would be India followed by England and Zimbabwe and NZ.. Kenya were also pretty decent side.

 

[Ab Fan]

The answer is ASP in the order as many have already given.

 

[Bilal7]

Australia, Pakistan and South Africa. In that order. Pakistan won one and reached the finals of another World Cup in the 90s. South Africa... Not so much.

Sri Lanka were also quite good.

 

[The_Odd_One]

Australia then South Africa and then Pakistan

Pakistan would win against all other teams but always lost to Australia and South Africa.

 

[Gilly]

In the ninties Australias record against SA was won 5 lost 3 and against Pakistan it was won 7 lost 2.
Pakistan against SA was Pakistan won 1 and lost 3.

So just using those three teams it was

Australia won 12 lost 5
South Africa won 6 lost 6
Pakistan won 3 lost 10

 

[Hitman]

South Africa used to my favorite team after India back in the 90's. Allan Donald till this day is my favorite fast bowler ever.