1996 saw yet another format change in the World Cup. The 1992 set-up allowed no participation from non-Test playing teams now that Zimbabwe had been granted full Test status, so the tournament was expanded.
The preliminary rounds were in two groups of 6, with 8 teams advancing to quarter finals. This meant that three teams qualified via the ICC Trophy, held in Kenya for the first time.
The host team Kenya advanced to the semi-finals, eliminating Bangladesh on the way, and were joined there by the United Arab Emirates, the Netherlands and Bermuda.
The Kenyans and UAE booked a world cup berth by winning their semi-finals, and the Netherlands joined them after roundly beating Bermuda in the 3rd place play-off.
The tournament was not without controversy, as the United Arab Emirates team largely consisted of recent immigrants from India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka, with only their captain Sultan Zarawani being born in the country.
The main tournament returned to Asia, with the games spread over three countries, India, Pakistan and the newcomer, Sri Lanka.
The pre-tournament lead up was overshadowed by security concerns, particularly on the part of the Australian side.
Members of their squad had been involved in much publicized accusations of match fixing by Pakistani players.
Sri Lanka was also undergoing internal political turmoil, with threats of disruption by the Tamil rebel groups, and after a massive bomb blast in Colombo (killing 80) in late January, the Australian team decided that they would forfeit their preliminary round matches in Sri Lanka rather than travel there.
The West Indies board followed suit a week later, leaving the tournament in tatters before it even started.
Group A consisted of Australia, India, Kenya, Sri Lanka, West Indies and Zimbabwe, with Sri Lanka already assured of two wins through the forfeits by Australia and the West Indies.
The group got off to an undistinguished start with the West Indies defeating Zimbabwe in a match marked by some good bowling, and a sparkling innings by Lara (43 off 31 balls).
Curtley Ambrose’s 3/28 earned him the man of the match award.
India got their tournament underway with a match at Cuttack against the newcomers, Kenya, who showed there were not to be taken lightly.
Tendulkar was in imperious form, making a magnificent 127* off 134 balls, Jadeja contributing only 53 to a 163 opening partnership.
Sri Lanka`s first World Cup match on home soil was against their fellow newcomers on the Test scene, Zimbabwe.
de Silva in particular was severe on some wayward bowling, and Gurusinha hit a record 6 sixes, their partnership being a record for any wicket for Sri Lanka.
Zimbabwe tried hard in the field, but Sri Lanka won with 13 overs to spare.
The India - West Indies match brought the two premier batsman of the game together, Lara and Tendulkar. honours went to Tendulkar, and India. Lara fell for only 2, albeit to a somewhat questionable decision, and Tendulkar (helped by being dropped twice) made a typical 70, leading India to a 5 wicket victory.
After forfeiting their first match, Australia started the tournament against Kenya, and the Waugh twins made hay against the Kenyan bowlers. After losing two early wickets, they put on 207 (a World Cup record partnership for the 3rd wicket), Mark making a superb 130, and Steve 82, taking the Australians to a 300 plus total.
Kenya had an unexpected, historic and sensational win over the West Indies. It was the 4th win by an ICC associate over a full member country, and the West Indies` second lowest total in one-days.
Sri Lanka assured themselves of topping the group, and remained un-beaten, whilst India were left at 2-2 and a likely 3rd place.
Already assured of first place in the group, the Sri Lankans massacred the Kenyan bowlers, setting records for highest totals in World Cups, and all one-day internationals.
de Silva becoming the first Sri Lankan to score a century in World Cups.
Group B had one host nation, Pakistan, along with three other Test playing nations (England, New Zealand and South Africa), and two ICC associate teams (the Netherlands and UAE).
The hosts, Pakistan, made a delayed entry into the competition, playing their first game 10 days after the start of group play, after the end of Ramadan.
Gary Kirsten dominated a moderate bowling attack, in the South Africa-UAE game, making the highest individual score in all world cups, 188* off 159 balls. His 3rd 50 took only 29 balls and he needed 3 off the final ball of the innings to equal Viv Richards` one-day international record, but fell just short.
The Netherlands took on New Zealand in their first ever one-day international, and were outclassed.
Pakistan made their belated debut against the UAE, and the UAE again failed to provide much opposition, in a 9 wicket win for Pakistan.
South Africa had beaten England 5 consecutive times in one-day internationals, and duly completed a 6th win with ease.
Before the South Africa-Pakistan match in Karachi, Pakistan had formally protested the presence of Zimbabwe umpire Ian Robinson, and he was replaced by Bucknor.
The two ICC Associate teams met in what was effectively a battle for the wooden spoon. Somewhat surprisingly the UAE ran out the winners, hitting form with ball and bat.
The Netherlands completed their world cup with another one-sided game against South Africa. South Africa won their 10th consecutive one-day international, and the Netherlands went home winless, but had gained much experience.
South Africa finished top of the group, unbeaten in 10 games and looking unbeatable. Pakistan and New Zealand followed, and England, with wins only against the ICC Associates, qualified fourth. The UAE had achieved their captains objective by qualifying for the World Cup, and went home satisfied by their one win.
Eden Gardens was packed to the rafters as India and Sri Lanka battled for a place in the final.
When India started their replay Sidhu fell early, but Tendulkar and Manjrekar made steady progress. Tendulkar was in top form, pacing his innings well, and had reached 65 when he over-balanced and was neatly stumped. The crowd watched the collapse that followed with silence, and then with rage.
When Mongia and Kapoor was dismissed off successive deliveries, and India 120/8, the crowd erupted. A hail of bottles sailed onto the ground, and several fires were started in the stands. In an unprecedented move that match was awarded to Sri Lanka, and India`s World Cup ended on a sad and ugly scenes.
Australia met Sri Lanka in the final in Lahore - a fitting end to a tournament that had started with Australia forfeiting their match in Colombo.
All five previous finals had been one by the side batting first, but Ranatunga put Australia in after winning the toss, not wanting to field under the lights as the dew fell. This seemed to be a misjudgment as Australia made a strong start.
de Silva played an innings that was perfectly paced, laced with 13 fours and a six, and made with consummate ease. His 107* was the third century in a final, and every bit as good as the preceding innings of Lloyd and Richards.
The Sri Lankans became the first host team to win a World Cup.
The Sri Lankans had revolutionized one day cricket, with their tactics of going all out for the first 15 overs, and then building on their start.
Jayasuriya deservedly won the player of the tournament
de Silva`s innings in the semi-final and final showed that conventional stroke making could be just as effective.
Tendulkar and Mark Waugh both had magnificent tournaments, 1st and 2nd as top run scorers, with de Silva 3rd, all three averaging over 80
Kumble was the leading wicket-taker, followed by Waqar Younis.