View source for 1996 Cricket World Cup

{{Short description|6th Cricket World Cup}}
{{Use British English|date=February 2013}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox cricket tournament
| name = 1996 Cricket World Cup
| image = Wills World Cup 1996.svg
| administrator = [[International Cricket Council]]
| cricket format = [[One Day International]]
| tournament format = [[Round-robin tournament|Round robin]] and [[Single-elimination tournament|Knockout]]
| host = {{ubl|Pakistan|India|Sri Lanka}}
| champions = {{cr|SRI}}
| count = 1
| runner up = {{cr|AUS}}
| participants = 12
| matches = 37
| attendance = 
| player of the series = {{cricon|SRI}} [[Sanath Jayasuriya]]
| most runs = {{cricon|IND}} [[Sachin Tendulkar]] (523)
| most wickets = {{cricon|IND}} [[Anil Kumble]] (15)
| previous_year = 1992
| previous_tournament = 1992 Cricket World Cup
| next_year = 1999
| next_tournament = 1999 Cricket World Cup
| fromdate = 14 February
| todate = 17 March 1996
}}
The '''1996 Cricket World Cup''', also called the '''Wills World Cup 1996''' for sponsorship reasons, was the sixth [[Cricket World Cup]] organised by the [[International Cricket Council]] (ICC). It was co-hosted by [[Pakistan]], [[India]] and [[Sri Lanka]].<!--most refs seem to list in this order - Wisden for example--> The tournament was won by [[Sri Lanka national cricket team|Sri Lanka]], who defeated [[Australia national cricket team|Australia]] by seven wickets in the final on 17 March 1996 at the [[Gaddafi Stadium]] in [[Lahore]], Pakistan.

==Hosts==
{{Location map+|India|width=350|float=right|caption=Venues in India |places=
{{Location map~|India|lat_deg=22|lat_min=33|lon_deg=88|lon_min=20|position=left  |label=[[Kolkata|Calcutta]]}}
{{Location map~|India|lat_deg=28|lat_min=38|lon_deg=77|lon_min=14|position=left  |label=[[Delhi]]}}
{{Location map~|India|lat_deg=23|lat_min=05|lon_deg=72|lon_min=35|position=top   |label=[[Ahmedabad]]}}
{{Location map~|India|lat_deg=13|lat_min=03|lon_deg=80|lon_min=16|position=right |label=[[Chennai|Madras]]}}
{{Location map~|India|lat_deg=30|lat_min=41|lon_deg=76|lon_min=44|position=left  |label=[[Mohali]]}}
{{Location map~|India|lat_deg=21|lat_min=09|lon_deg=79|lon_min=04|position=right |label=[[Nagpore]]}}
{{Location map~|India|lat_deg=12|lat_min=58|lon_deg=77|lon_min=35|position=left  |label=[[Bangalore]]}}
{{Location map~|India|lat_deg=18|lat_min=53|lon_deg=72|lon_min=49|position=left  |label=[[Bombay]]}}
{{Location map~|India|lat_deg=17|lat_min=00|lon_deg=78|lon_min=50|position=left  |label=[[Hyderabad]]}}
{{Location map~|India|lat_deg=20|lat_min=27|lon_deg=85|lon_min=52|position=right |label=[[Cuttack]]}}
{{Location map~|India|lat_deg=26|lat_min=08|lon_deg=78|lon_min=06|position=bottom|label=[[Gwalior]]}}
{{Location map~|India|lat_deg=17|lat_min=42|lon_deg=83|lon_min=15|position=right |label=[[Vizag]]}}
{{Location map~|India|lat_deg=25|lat_min=36|lon_deg=85|lon_min=08|position=bottom|label=[[Patna]]}}
{{Location map~|India|lat_deg=18|lat_min=28|lon_deg=73|lon_min=47|position=right |label=[[Poona]]}}
{{Location map~|India|lat_deg=26|lat_min=54|lon_deg=75|lon_min=48|position=left  |label=[[Jaipur]]}}
{{Location map~|India|lat_deg=26|lat_min=27|lon_deg=80|lon_min=20|position=right |label=[[Cawnpore]]}}
{{Location map~|India|lat_deg=22|lat_min=18|lon_deg=73|lon_min=12|position=right |label=[[Baroda]]}}
}}
{{Location map+|Pakistan|width=350|float=right|caption=Venues in Pakistan|places=
{{Location map~|Pakistan|lat_deg=34|lat_min=01|lon_deg=71|lon_min=35|position=left  |label=[[Peshawar]]}}
{{Location map~|Pakistan|lat_deg=31|lat_min=33|lon_deg=74|lon_min=20|position=bottom|label=[[Lahore]]}}
{{Location map~|Pakistan|lat_deg=31|lat_min=22|lon_deg=73|lon_min=5|position=left  |label=[[Faisalabad]]}}
{{Location map~|Pakistan|lat_deg=32|lat_min=09|lon_deg=74|lon_min=11|position=right |label=[[Gujranwala]]}}
{{Location map~|Pakistan|lat_deg=24|lat_min=51|lon_deg=67|lon_min=00|position=left  |label=[[Karachi]]}}
{{Location map~|Pakistan|lat_deg=33|lat_min=36|lon_deg=73|lon_min=02|position=right |label=[[Rawalpindi]]}}
}}
{{Location map+|Sri Lanka|width=150|float=right|caption=Venues in Sri Lanka|places=
{{Location map~|Sri Lanka|lat_deg=06|lat_min=56|lon_deg=79|lon_min=52|position=bottom|label=[[Colombo]]}}
{{Location map~|Sri Lanka|lat_deg=07|lat_min=17|lon_deg=80|lon_min=38|position=left  |label=[[Kandy]]}}
}}
The competition was played in India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. India hosted 17 matches at 17 venues, Pakistan hosted 16 matches at six venues and four matches were played at three Sri Lankan venues

[[Australia national cricket team|Australia]] and the [[West Indies cricket team|West Indies]] refused to send their teams to Sri Lanka following the [[Colombo Central Bank bombing|bombing of Central Bank in Colombo]] by the [[Liberation Tigers of Tamil Eelam|Tamil Tigers]] in January 1996. After extensive negotiations, the ICC ruled that [[Sri Lanka national cricket team|Sri Lanka]] would be awarded both games on forfeit.

===India===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Venues
! Cities !! Capacity !! Matches
|-
|[[Eden Gardens]]
|[[Kolkata|Calcutta]], [[West Bengal]]
|align="center"|120,000
|align="center"|1
|-
|[[Green Park Stadium|Green Park]]
|[[Kanpur]], [[Uttar Pradesh]]
|align="center"|45,000
|align="center"|1
|-
|[[Punjab Cricket Association Stadium]]
|[[Mohali]], [[Punjab (India)|Punjab]]
|align="center"|40,000
|align="center"|1
|-
|[[M. Chinnaswamy Stadium]]
|[[Bangalore]], [[Karnataka]]
|align="center"|55,000
|align="center"|1
|-
|[[M. A. Chidambaram Stadium]]
|[[Chennai|Madras]], [[Tamil Nadu]]
|align="center"|50,000
|align="center"|1
|-
|[[Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium, Hyderabad|Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium]]
|[[Hyderabad (India)|Hyderabad]], [[Telangana]]
|align="center"|30,000
|align="center"|1
|-
|[[Barabati Stadium]]
|[[Cuttack]], [[Odisha]]
|align="center"|25,000
|align="center"|1
|-
|[[Roop Singh Stadium]]
|[[Gwalior]], [[Madhya Pradesh]]
|align="center"|55,000
|align="center"|1
|-
|[[Indira Priyadarshini Stadium]]
|[[Visakhapatnam]], [[Andhra Pradesh]]
|align="center"|25,000
|align="center"|1
|-
|[[Moin-ul-Haq Stadium]]
|[[Patna]], [[Bihar]]
|align="center"|25,000
|align="center"|1
|-
|[[Nehru Stadium, Pune|Nehru Stadium]]
|[[Pune]], [[Maharashtra]]
|align="center"|25,000
|align="center"|1
|-
|[[Wankhede Stadium]]
|[[Mumbai]], [[Maharashtra]]
|align="center"|45,000
|align="center"|1
|-
|[[Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera|Sardar Patel Stadium]]
|[[Ahmedabad]], [[Gujarat]]
|align="center"|48,000
|align="center"|1
|-
|[[IPCL Sports Complex Ground]]
|[[Vadodara]], [[Gujarat]]
|align="center"|20,000
|align="center"|1
|-
|[[Sawai Mansingh Stadium]]
|[[Jaipur]], [[Rajasthan]]
|align="center"|30,000
|align="center"|1
|-
|[[Vidarbha C.A. Ground]]
|[[Nagpur]], [[Maharashtra]]
|align="center"|40,000
|align="center"|1
|-
|[[Feroz Shah Kotla Ground]]
|[[Delhi]], [[New Delhi]]
|align="center"|48,000
|align="center"|1
|}

===Pakistan===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Venues
! Cities !! Capacity !! Matches
|-
|[[National Stadium, Karachi|National Stadium]]
|[[Karachi]], [[Sindh]]
|align="center"|34,000
|align="center"|3
|-
|[[Gaddafi Stadium]]
|[[Lahore]], [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]]
|align="center"|62,000
|align="center"|4
|-
|[[Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium]]
|[[Rawalpindi]], [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]]
|align="center"|25,000
|align="center"|3
|-
|[[Arbab Niaz Stadium]]
|[[Peshawar]], [[Khyber Pakhtunkhwa]]
|align="center"|20,000
|align="center"|2
|-
|[[Iqbal Stadium]]
|[[Faisalabad]], [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]]
|align="center"|18,000
|align="center"|3
|-
|[[Jinnah Stadium, Gujranwala|Jinnah Stadium]]
|[[Gujranwala]], [[Punjab, Pakistan|Punjab]]
|align="center"|20,000
|align="center"|1
|}

===Sri Lanka===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Venues
! Cities !! Capacity !! Matches
|-
|[[R. Premadasa Stadium]]
|[[Colombo]]
|align="center"|14,000
|align="center"|0*
|-
|[[Singhalese Sports Club Cricket Ground]]
|[[Colombo]]
|align="center"|10,000
|align="center"|1
|-
|[[Asgiriya Stadium]]
|[[Kandy]]
|align="center"|10,300
|align="center"|1
|}
* Two matches were scheduled to be played down at the Premadasa, but neither took place as Australia and the West Indies declined to play in Sri Lanka.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Lankan lions roar – 1996 |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/the-lankan-lions-roar-1996-130537 |access-date=2022-03-10 |work=ESPNcricinfo }}</ref>

==Squads==
{{Main|1996 Cricket World Cup squads}}

==Teams==
All the Test-playing nations participated in the competition, including Zimbabwe, who became the ninth Test-status member of the ICC following the last World Cup. The three Associate teams (previously one) to qualify through the [[1994 ICC Trophy]] – the [[United Arab Emirates national cricket team|United Arab Emirates]], [[Kenya national cricket team|Kenya]] and the [[Netherlands national cricket team|Netherlands]] – also made their World Cup debuts in 1996. The Netherlands lost all of their five matches, including a defeat to the UAE, while Kenya recorded a surprise victory over the West Indies in Pune.

{| class="wikitable"
|-
!colspan=3|Full Members
|-
|style="width:150px"|{{cr|AUS}}
|{{cr|ENG}}
|{{cr|IND}}
|-
|{{cr|NZL}}
|{{cr|PAK}}
|{{cr|RSA}}
|-
|{{cr|SRI}}
|{{cr|WIN}}
|{{cr|ZIM}}
|-
!colspan=3|Associate Members
|-
|{{cr|KEN}}
|{{cr|NED}}
|{{cr|UAE}}
|}

==Summary==
The Sri Lankans, coached by [[Dav Whatmore]] and captained by [[Arjuna Ranatunga]], used Man of the Series [[Sanath Jayasuriya]]<ref name="Finals scorecard ESPNcricinfo">{{cite web |title=Wills World Cup, 1995/96, Final |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |url=http://www.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/WORLD_CUPS/WC96/WC96-MATCHES/AUS_SL_WC96_ODI-FINAL_17MAR1996.html |access-date=29 April 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070206040506/http://www3.cricinfo.com/link_to_database/ARCHIVE/WORLD_CUPS/WC96/WC96-MATCHES/AUS_SL_WC96_ODI-FINAL_17MAR1996.html |archive-date=6 February 2007 |url-status=live }}</ref> and [[Romesh Kaluwitharana]] as opening batsmen to take advantage of the fielding restrictions during the first 15 overs of each innings. At a time when 50 or 60 runs in the first 15 overs was considered adequate, Sri Lanka scored 117 runs in those overs against India, 123 against Kenya, 121 against England in the quarter-final and 86 against India in the semi-final. Against Kenya, Sri Lanka made 398 for 5, a new record for the highest team score in a One Day International that stood until April 2006. [[Gary Kirsten]] scored 188 not out against United Arab Emirates at Rawalpindi, Pakistan, setting a record for the highest individual score in a World Cup match which stood until 2015.

Sri Lanka won the first semi-final over India at [[Eden Gardens]] in [[Kolkata|Calcutta]], in front of a crowd unofficially estimated at 110,000. After they had lost both openers cheaply, Sri Lanka launched a counter-attack, led by Aravinda de Silva, to post a strong total of 251 for the loss of 8 wickets. India began their chase promisingly but after the loss of Sachin Tendulkar, the Indian batting order collapsed. After India had slumped to 120 for 8 in the 35th over, sections of the crowd began to throw fruit and plastic bottles onto the field. The players left the field for 20 minutes in an attempt to quieten the crowd. When the players returned for play, more bottles were thrown onto the field and fires were lit in the stand.<ref name="sportstar">{{cite news |last1=Sabanayakan |first1=S. |title=India vs Sri Lanka, Wills World Cup 1996 semifinal: A real shame |url=https://sportstar.thehindu.com/cricket/india-sri-lanka-1996-will-world-cup-semifinal-match-report-eden-gardens-crowd-trouble/article26522248.ece |work=sportstar.thehindu.com |date=13 March 2019 }}</ref><ref name="news18">{{cite news |title=On This Day: India vs Sri Lanka 1996 World Cup - An Epic Collapse, Tearful Vinod Kambli and the Nuisance at Eden Gardens |url=https://www.news18.com/cricketnext/news/on-this-day-india-vs-sri-lanka-1996-world-cup-an-epic-collapse-tearful-vinod-kambli-3527696.html |website=news18.com |access-date=13 March 2023}}</ref> Match referee [[Clive Lloyd]] awarded the match to Sri Lanka, the first default ever in a [[Test cricket|Test]] or [[One Day International]].

In the second semi-final in [[Mohali]], Australia recovered from 15/4 to reach 207/8 from their 50 overs. The West Indians had reached 165/2 in the 42nd over before losing their last eight wickets for 37 runs in 51 balls.

Sri Lanka won the toss in the final and sent Australia in to bat despite the team batting first having won all five previous World Cup finals. [[Mark Taylor (cricketer)|Mark Taylor]] top scored with 74 in Australia's total of 241/7. Sri Lanka won the match in the 47th over with [[Aravinda de Silva]] following his 3 for 42 with an unbeaten 107 to win the Player of the Match award. It was the first time a tournament host or co-host had won the cricket World Cup.<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Cup Cricket Team Records & Stats  |url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/records/team/series_results.html?id=12&type=trophy |access-date=2022-03-10 |work=ESPNcricinfo}}</ref>

A warm-up match was played between South Africa and Pakistan on 8 February 1996 in which South Africa defeated Pakistan by 65 runs.<ref>{{Citation |last=Grundlingh |first=Albert |title=Diffusion and Depiction: How Afrikaners Came to Play Cricket in Twentieth-Century South Africa |date=2018 |work=Cricket and Society in South Africa, 1910–1971 |pages=191–206 |url=http://dx.doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-93608-6_7 |access-date=2024-01-27 |place=Cham |publisher=Springer International Publishing |doi=10.1007/978-3-319-93608-6_7 |isbn=978-3-319-93607-9|s2cid=158182345 |url-access=subscription }}</ref>

==Group stage==

===Group A===
<onlyinclude>{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=CricketRR
|update=complete
|section=A

|team1=SL |team2=AUS |team3=INDIA |team4=WI |team5=ZIM |team6=KENYA
|result1=Q |result2=Q |result3=Q |result4=Q

|win_AUS=3 |loss_AUS=2 |nr_AUS=0 |rs_AUS=949 |or_AUS=186.0 |rc_AUS=835 |ob_AUS=198.5
|win_INDIA=3 |loss_INDIA=2 |nr_INDIA=0 |rs_INDIA=1137 |or_INDIA=231.3 |rc_INDIA=1109 |ob_INDIA=248.4
|win_KENYA=1 |loss_KENYA=4 |nr_KENYA=0 |rs_KENYA=960 |or_KENYA=250.0 |rc_KENYA=1135 |ob_KENYA=234.1
|win_SL=5 |loss_SL=0 |nr_SL=0 |rs_SL=899 |or_SL=135.4 |rc_SL=753 |ob_SL=150.0
|win_WI=2 |loss_WI=3 |nr_WI=0 |rs_WI=653 |or_WI=178.2 |rc_WI=720 |ob_WI=189.4
|win_ZIM=1 |loss_ZIM=4 |nr_ZIM=0 |rs_ZIM=877 |or_ZIM=242.2 |rc_ZIM=923 |ob_ZIM=202.3

|name_AUS={{cr|AUS}}
|name_INDIA={{cr|IND}}
|name_KENYA={{cr|KEN}}
|name_SL={{cr|SRI}}
|name_WI={{cr|WIN}}
|name_ZIM={{cr|ZIM}}

|source=[https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/wills-world-cup-1995-96-60981/points-table-standings ESPNcricinfo]

|col_Q=green1
}}</onlyinclude>

{{Single-innings cricket match
 | date = 16 February
 | team1 = {{cr-rt|ZIM}}
 | score1 = 151/9 (50 overs)
 | score2 = 155/4 (29.3 overs)
 | team2 = {{cr|WIN}}
 | runs1 = [[Grant Flower]] 31 (54)
 | wickets1 = [[Curtly Ambrose]] 3/28 (10 overs)
 | runs2 = [[Sherwin Campbell]] 47 (88)
 | wickets2 = [[Paul Strang]] 4/40 (7.3 overs)
 | result = West Indies won by 6 wickets
 | report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65159.html Scorecard]
 | venue = [[Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium, Hyderabad|Lal Bahadur Shastri Stadium]], [[Hyderabad]]
 | umpires = [[Steve Dunne (cricket umpire)|Steve Dunne]] (NZ) and [[Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan]] (Ind)
 | motm = [[Curtly Ambrose]] (WI)
 | toss = Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat.
 | rain = 
 | notes = 
}}
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
 | date = 17 February
 | team1 = {{cr-rt|SRI}}
 | score1 = 
 | score2 = 
 | team2 = {{cr|AUS}}
 | runs1 = 
 | wickets1 = 
 | runs2 = 
 | wickets2 = 
 | result = Sri Lanka won by a walkover
 | report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/66411.html Scorecard]
 | venue = [[R. Premadasa Stadium]], [[Colombo]]
 | umpires = [[Cyril Mitchley]] (SA) and [[Mahboob Shah]] (Pak)
 | motm = 
 | toss = No toss.
 | rain = Australia forfeited the match due to [[Colombo Central Bank bombing|safety concerns]], and were in Mumbai at the time of the match.
 | notes = 
}}
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
 | date = 18 February
 | team1 = {{cr-rt|KEN}}
 | score1 = 199/6 (50 overs)
 | score2 = 203/3 (41.5 overs)
 | team2 = {{cr|IND}}
 | runs1 = [[Steve Tikolo]] 65 (83)
 | wickets1 = [[Anil Kumble]] 3/28 (10 overs)
 | runs2 = [[Sachin Tendulkar]] 127[[not out|*]] (138)
 | wickets2 = [[Steve Tikolo]] 1/26 (3 overs)
 | result = India won by 7 wickets
 | report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65161.html Scorecard]
 | venue = [[Barabati Stadium]], [[Cuttack]]
 | umpires = [[K. T. Francis]] (SL) and [[David Shepherd (umpire)|David Shepherd]] (Eng)
 | motm = [[Sachin Tendulkar]] (Ind)
 | toss = India won the toss and elected to field.
 | rain = 
 | notes = 
}}
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
 | date = 21 February
 | team1 = {{cr-rt|ZIM}}
 | score1 = 228/6 (50 overs)
 | score2 = 229/4 (37 overs)
 | team2 = {{cr|SRI}}
 | runs1 = [[Alistair Campbell (cricketer)|Alistair Campbell]] 75 (102)
 | wickets1 = [[Chaminda Vaas]] 2/30 (10 overs)
 | runs2 = [[Aravinda de Silva]] 91 (86)
 | wickets2 = [[Heath Streak]] 3/60 (10 overs)
 | result = Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets
 | report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65164.html Scorecard]
 | venue = [[Sinhalese Sports Club Ground]], [[Colombo]]
 | umpires = [[Steve Dunne (cricket umpire)|Steve Dunne]] (NZ) and [[Mahboob Shah]] (Pak)
 | motm = [[Aravinda de Silva]] (SL)
 | toss = Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat.
 | rain = 
 | notes = 
}}
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
 | date = 21 February
 | team1 = {{cr-rt|WIN}}
 | score1 = 173 (50 overs)
 | score2 = 174/5 (39.4 overs)
 | team2 = {{cr|IND}}
 | runs1 = [[Richie Richardson]] 47 (70)
 | wickets1 = [[Anil Kumble]] 3/35 (10 overs)
 | runs2 = [[Sachin Tendulkar]] 70 (91)
 | wickets2 = [[Roger Harper]] 2/34 (9 overs)
 | result = India won by 5 wickets
 | report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65165.html Scorecard]
 | venue = [[Captain Roop Singh Stadium]], [[Gwalior]]
 | umpires = [[Khizer Hayat]] (Pak) and [[Ian Robinson (cricket umpire)|Ian Robinson]] (Zim)
 | motm = [[Sachin Tendulkar]] (Ind)
 | toss = West Indies won the toss and elected to bat.
 | rain = 
 | notes = 
}}
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
 | date = 23 February
 | team1 = {{cr-rt|AUS}}
 | score1 = 304/7 (50 overs)
 | score2 = 207/7 (50 overs)
 | team2 = {{cr|KEN}}
 | runs1 = [[Mark Waugh]] 130 (128)
 | wickets1 = [[Rajab Ali]] 3/45 (10 overs)
 | runs2 = [[Kennedy Otieno]] 85 (137)
 | wickets2 = [[Paul Reiffel]] 2/18 (7 overs)
 | result = Australia won by 97 runs
 | report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65167.html Scorecard]
 | venue = [[Indira Priyadarshini Stadium]], [[Visakhapatnam]]
 | umpires = [[Cyril Mitchley]] (SA) and [[David Shepherd (umpire)|David Shepherd]] (Eng)
 | motm = [[Mark Waugh]] (Aus)
 | toss = Kenya won the toss and elected to field.
 | rain = 
 | notes = 
}}
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
 | date = 26 February
 | team1 = {{cr-rt|SRI}}
 | score1 = 
 | score2 = 
 | team2 = {{cr|WIN}}
 | runs1 = 
 | wickets1 = 
 | runs2 = 
 | wickets2 =
 | result = Sri Lanka won by a walkover
 | report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/66412.html Scorecard]
 | venue = [[Premadasa Stadium]], [[Colombo]]
 | umpires = [[V. K. Ramaswamy (umpire)|V. K. Ramaswamy]] (Ind) and [[Mahboob Shah]] (Pak)
 | motm = 
 | toss = No toss.
 | rain = West Indies forfeited the match due to safety concerns.
 | notes = 
}}
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
 | date = 27 February
 | team1 = {{cr-rt|KEN}}
 | score1 = 134 (49.4 overs)
 | score2 = 137/5 (42.2 overs)
 | team2 = {{cr|ZIM}}
 | runs1 = [[Dipak Chudasama]] 34 (66)
 | wickets1 = [[Paul Strang]] 5/21 (9.4 overs)
 | runs2 = [[Grant Flower]] 45 (112)
 | wickets2 = [[Rajab Ali]] 3/22 (8 overs)
 | result = Zimbabwe won by 5 wickets
 | report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65172.html Scorecard]
 | venue = [[Moin-ul-Haq Stadium]], [[Patna]]
 | umpires = [[Khizer Hayat]] (Pak) and [[Cyril Mitchley]] (SA)
 | motm = [[Paul Strang]] (Zim)
 | toss = Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to field.
 | rain = This game was originally scheduled to be played on 25 February; as the game started but due to rain it was abandoned after 15.5 overs of Zimbabwe's innings.
 | notes = 
}}
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
 | date = 27 February
 | team1 = {{cr-rt|AUS}}
 | score1 = 258 (50 overs)
 | score2 = 242 (48 overs)
 | team2 = {{cr|IND}}
 | runs1 = [[Mark Waugh]] 126 (135)
 | wickets1 = [[Venkatapathy Raju]] 2/48 (10 overs)
 | runs2 = [[Sachin Tendulkar]] 90 (84)
 | wickets2 = [[Damien Fleming]] 5/36 (9 overs)
 | result = Australia won by 16 runs
 | report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65174.html Scorecard]
 | venue = [[Wankhede Stadium]], [[Mumbai]]
 | umpires = [[Steve Dunne (cricket umpire)|Steve Dunne]] (NZ) and [[David Shepherd (umpire)|David Shepherd]] (Eng)
 | motm = [[Mark Waugh]] (Aus)
 | toss = Australia won the toss and elected to bat.
 | rain = 
 | notes = 
}}
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
 | date = 29 February
 | team1 = {{cr-rt|KEN}}
 | score1 = 166 (49.3 overs)
 | score2 = 93 (35.2 overs)
 | team2 = {{cr|WIN}}
 | runs1 = [[Steve Tikolo]] 29 (50)
 | wickets1 = [[Courtney Walsh]] 3/46 (9 overs)
 | runs2 = [[Shivnarine Chanderpaul]] 19 (48)
 | wickets2 = [[Maurice Odumbe]] 3/15 (10 overs)
 | result = Kenya won by 73 runs
 | report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65175.html Scorecard]
 | venue = [[Nehru Stadium, Pune|Nehru Stadium]], [[Pune]]
 | umpires = [[Khizer Hayat]] (Pak) and [[V. K. Ramaswamy (umpire)|V. K. Ramaswamy]] (Ind)
 | motm = [[Maurice Odumbe]] (Ken)
 | toss = West Indies won the toss and elected to field.
 | rain = 
 | notes = Kenya won their first ODI match.
* This was the first time the West Indies lost an ODI to an ICC Associate.
* This was the fourth win in ODI history by an ICC Associate (all in World Cups, SL vs Ind 1979, Zim vs Aus 1983 and Zim vs Eng 1992).
}}
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
 | date = 1 March
 | team1 = {{cr-rt|ZIM}}
 | score1 = 154 (45.3 overs)
 | score2 = 158/2 (36 overs)
 | team2 = {{cr|AUS}}
 | runs1 = [[Andy Waller]] 67 (101)
 | wickets1 = [[Shane Warne]] 4/34 (9.3 overs)
 | runs2 = [[Mark Waugh]] 76[[not out|*]] (109)
 | wickets2 = [[Paul Strang]] 2/33 (10 overs)
 | result = Australia won by 8 wickets
 | report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65177.html Scorecard]
 | venue = [[Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground]], [[Nagpur]]
 | umpires = [[Steve Dunne (cricket umpire)|Steve Dunne]] (NZ) and [[David Shepherd (umpire)|David Shepherd]] (Eng)
 | motm = [[Shane Warne]] (Aus)
 | toss = Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat.
 | rain = 
 | notes = 
}}
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
 | date = 2 March
 | team1 = {{cr-rt|IND}}
 | score1 = 271/3 (50 overs)
 | score2 = 272/4 (48.4 overs)
 | team2 = {{cr|SRI}}
 | runs1 = [[Sachin Tendulkar]] 137 (137)
 | wickets1 = [[Ravindra Pushpakumara]] 1/53 (8 overs)
 | runs2 = [[Sanath Jayasuriya]] 79 (76)
 | wickets2 = [[Anil Kumble]] 2/39 (10 overs)
 | result = Sri Lanka won by 6 wickets
 | report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65179.html Scorecard]
 | venue = [[Feroz Shah Kotla]], [[Delhi]]
 | umpires = [[Cyril Mitchley]] (SA) and [[Ian Robinson (cricket umpire)|Ian Robinson]] (Zim)
 | motm = [[Sanath Jayasuriya]] (SL)
 | toss = Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field.
 | rain = 
 | notes = [[Manoj Prabhakar]] played his last ODI game.
}}
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
 | date = 4 March
 | team1 = {{cr-rt|AUS}}
 | score1 = 229/6 (50 overs)
 | score2 = 232/6 (48.5 overs)
 | team2 = {{cr|WIN}}
 | runs1 = [[Ricky Ponting]] 102 (112)
 | wickets1 = [[Courtney Walsh]] 2/35 (9 overs)
 | runs2 = [[Richie Richardson]] 93[[not out|*]] (133)
 | wickets2 = [[Mark Waugh]] 3/38 (10 overs)
 | result = West Indies won by 4 wickets
 | report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65181.html Scorecard]
 | venue = [[Sawai Mansingh Stadium]], [[Jaipur]]
 | umpires = [[Mahboob Shah]] (Pak) and [[David Shepherd (umpire)|David Shepherd]] (Eng)
 | motm = [[Richie Richardson]] (WI)
 | toss = Australia won the toss and elected to bat.
 | rain = 
 | notes = 
}}
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
 | date = 6 March
 | team1 = {{cr-rt|IND}}
 | score1 = 247/5 (50 overs)
 | score2 = 207 (49.4 overs)
 | team2 = {{cr|ZIM}}
 | runs1 = [[Vinod Kambli]] 106 (110)
 | wickets1 = [[Charlie Lock]] 2/57 (10 overs)
 | runs2 = [[Heath Streak]] 30 (39)
 | wickets2 = [[Venkatapathy Raju]] 3/30 (10 overs)
 | result = India won by 40 runs
 | report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65184.html Scorecard]
 | venue = [[Green Park Stadium|Green Park]], [[Kanpur]]
 | umpires = [[Steve Bucknor]] (WI) and [[Cyril Mitchley]] (SA)
 | motm = [[Ajay Jadeja]] (Ind)
 | toss = Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to field.
 | rain = 
 | notes = 
}}
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
 | date = 6 March
 | team1 = {{cr-rt|SRI}}
 | score1 = 398/5 (50 overs)
 | score2 = 254/7 (50 overs)
 | team2 = {{cr|KEN}}
 | runs1 = [[Aravinda de Silva]] 145 (115)
 | wickets1 = [[Tito Odumbe]] 2/34 (5 overs)
 | runs2 = [[Steve Tikolo]] 96 (95)
 | wickets2 = [[Arjuna Ranatunga]] 2/31 (5 overs)
 | result = Sri Lanka won by 144 runs
 | report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65183.html Scorecard]
 | venue = [[Asgiriya Stadium]], [[Kandy]]
 | umpires = [[Steve Dunne (cricket umpire)|Steve Dunne]] (NZ) and [[V. K. Ramaswamy (umpire)|V. K. Ramaswamy]] (Ind)
 | motm = [[Aravinda de Silva]] (SL)
 | toss = Kenya won the toss and elected to field.
 | rain = Sri Lanka's total of 398/5 surpassed England's 363/7 against Pakistan in 1992 as the highest score in all ODIs. The record stood until 12 March 2006, when both Australia and South Africa broke it [[Fifth ODI, Australian cricket team in South Africa in 2005–06|in the same match]]. It remained a World Cup record until the [[2007 Cricket World Cup|2007 tournament]], when India scored 413/5 against [[Bermuda national cricket team|Bermuda]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/211599.html |title=Records / One-Day Internationals / Team records / Highest innings totals |work=ESPNcricinfo |access-date=3 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150301131722/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/211599.html |archive-date=1 March 2015 |url-status=live }}</ref>
 | notes = 
}}

===Group B===
<onlyinclude>{{#invoke:Sports table|main|style=CricketRR
|update=complete
|section=B

|team1=SA |team2=PAK |team3=NZ |team4=ENG |team5=UAE |team6=NL
|result1=Q |result2=Q |result3=Q |result4=Q

|win_ENG=2 |loss_ENG=3 |nr_ENG=0 |rs_ENG=1048 |or_ENG=235.0 |rc_ENG=1085 |ob_ENG=247.4
|win_NL=0 |loss_NL=5 |nr_NL=0 |rs_NL=947 |or_NL=250.0 |rc_NL=1285 |ob_NL=225.0
|win_NZ=3 |loss_NZ=2 |nr_NZ=0 |rs_NZ=1234 |or_NZ=247.0 |rc_NZ=1042 |ob_NZ=234.3
|win_PAK=4 |loss_PAK=1 |nr_PAK=0 |rs_PAK=1036 |or_PAK=196.2 |rc_PAK=981 |ob_PAK=227.2
|win_SA=5 |loss_SA=0 |nr_SA=0 |rs_SA=1300 |or_SA=231.5 |rc_SA=891 |ob_SA=250.0
|win_UAE=1 |loss_UAE=4 |nr_UAE=0 |rs_UAE=784 |or_UAE=224.2 |rc_UAE=1065 |ob_UAE=200.0

|name_ENG={{cr|ENG}}
|name_NL={{cr|NED}}
|name_NZ={{cr|NZL}}
|name_PAK={{cr|PAK}}
|name_SA={{cr|RSA}}
|name_UAE={{cr|UAE}}

|source=[https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/wills-world-cup-1995-96-60981/points-table-standings ESPNcricinfo]

|col_Q=green1
}}</onlyinclude>

{{Single-innings cricket match
 | date = 14 February
 | team1 = {{cr-rt|NZL}}
 | score1 = 239/6 (50 overs)
 | score2 = 228/9 (50 overs)
 | team2 = {{cr|ENG}}
 | runs1 = [[Nathan Astle]] 101 (132)
 | wickets1 = [[Graeme Hick]] 2/45 (9 overs)
 | runs2 = [[Graeme Hick]] 85 (102)
 | wickets2 = [[Dion Nash]] 3/26 (7 overs)
 | result = New Zealand won by 11 runs
 | report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65157.html Scorecard]
 | venue = [[Sardar Patel Stadium, Motera|Gujarat Stadium]], [[Motera]], [[Ahmedabad]]
 | umpires = [[B. C. Cooray]] and [[Steve Randell]]
 | motm = [[Nathan Astle]] (NZ)
 | toss = 
 | rain = 
 | notes = 
}}
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
 | date = 16 February
 | team1 = {{cr-rt|RSA}}
 | score1 = 321/2 (50 overs)
 | score2 = 152/8 (50 overs)
 | team2 = {{cr|UAE}}
 | runs1 = [[Gary Kirsten]] 188[[not out|*]] (159)
 | wickets1 = [[Johanne Samarasekera]] 1/39 (9 overs)
 | runs2 = [[Arshad Laeeq]] 43 (79)
 | wickets2 = [[Brian McMillan]] 3/11 (8 overs)
 | result = South Africa won by 169 runs
 | report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65158.html Scorecard]
 | venue = [[Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium]], [[Rawalpindi]]
 | umpires = [[Steve Bucknor]] and [[V. K. Ramaswamy (umpire)|V. K. Ramaswamy]]
 | motm = [[Gary Kirsten]] (SA)
 | toss = 
 | rain = 
 | notes = Match was delayed from 15th February due to rain and a flooded ground.
*[[Gary Kirsten]]'s unbeaten 188 was the highest ever individual score in a World Cup match, surpassing Viv Richards' 181* against Sri Lanka in 1987, and the second-highest ODI score of all time, one short of Richards' all-time ODI record score of 189.
*South Africa's score of 321/2 was their highest in ODIs.
*The United Arab Emirates' ninth-wicket partnership of 80* between [[Arshad Laeeq]] and [[Shaukat Dukanwala]] was the second-highest of all time.
}}
----
{{anchor|match 4}}
{{Single-innings cricket match
| date = 17 February 1996
| team1 = {{cr-rt|NZL}}
| team2 = {{cr|NED}}
| score1 = 307/8 (50 overs)
| runs1 = [[Craig Spearman]] 68 (59)
| wickets1 = [[Steven Lubbers]] 3/48 (9 overs)
| score2 = 188/7 (50 overs)
| runs2 = [[Roland Lefebvre]] 45 (64)
| wickets2 = [[Chris Harris (cricketer)|Chris Harris]] 3/24 (10 overs)
| result = New Zealand won by 119 runs
| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65160.html Scorecard]
| venue = [[Moti Bagh Stadium]], [[Vadodara]]
| umpires = [[Khizer Hayat]] and [[Ian Robinson (cricket umpire)|Ian Robinson]]
| motm = [[Craig Spearman]] (NZ)
| toss = 
| rain = 
| notes = This was the Netherlands' first ODI match.
*[[Peter Cantrell]], [[Flavian Aponso]], [[Steven Lubbers]], [[Roland Lefebvre]], [[Tim de Leede]], [[Klaas-Jan van Noortwijk]], [[Marcelis Schewe]], [[Bastiaan Zuiderent]], [[Eric Gouka]] and [[Paul-Jan Bakker]] (Ned) all made their ODI debut.
*At 47 years and 240 days, [[Nolan Clarke]] (Ned) became the oldest player to make his ODI debut.<ref>{{cite web|first=Vinay|last=Chhabria|title=10 Guinness World Records held by cricket|url=https://www.crictracker.com/10-guinness-world-records-held-by-cricket/9/|work=CricTracker|date=12 March 2020|access-date=24 June 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200624140433/https://www.crictracker.com/10-guinness-world-records-held-by-cricket/9/|archive-date=24 June 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=ODI records – Oldest players on debut|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283461.html|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=24 June 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219141041/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283461.html|archive-date=19 December 2019}}</ref>
*[[Stephen Fleming]] (NZ) took his only ODI wicket.<ref>{{cite web|title=Stephen Fleming's profile|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/newzealand/content/player/37000.html|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=24 June 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200512074821/https://www.espncricinfo.com/newzealand/content/player/37000.html|archive-date=12 May 2020}}</ref>
}}
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
 | date = 18 February
 | team1 = {{cr-rt|UAE}}
 | score1 = 136 (48.3 overs)
 | score2 = 140/2 (35 overs)
 | team2 = {{cr|ENG}}
 | runs1 = [[Mazhar Hussain]] 33 (59)
 | wickets1 = [[Neil Smith (cricketer, born 1967)|Neil Smith]] 3/29
 | runs2 = [[Graham Thorpe]] 44[[not out|*]] (66)
 | wickets2 = [[Arshad Laeeq]] 1/25 (7 overs)
 | result = England won by 8 wickets
 | report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65162.html Scorecard]
 | venue = [[Arbab Niaz Stadium]], [[Peshawar]]
 | umpires = [[B. C. Cooray]] and [[V. K. Ramaswamy (umpire)|V. K. Ramaswamy]]
 | motm = [[Neil Smith (cricketer, born 1967)|Neil Smith]] (Eng)
 | toss = 
 | rain = 
 | notes = 
}}
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
 | date = 20 February
 | team1 = {{cr-rt|NZL}}
 | score1 = 177/9 (50 overs)
 | score2 = 178/5 (37.3 overs)
 | team2 = {{cr|RSA}}
 | runs1 = [[Stephen Fleming]] 33 (79)
 | wickets1 = [[Allan Donald]] 3/34 (10 overs)
 | runs2 = [[Hansie Cronje]] 78 (64)
 | wickets2 = [[Nathan Astle]] 2/10 (3 overs)
 | result = South Africa won by 5 wickets
 | report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65163.html Scorecard]
 | venue = [[Iqbal Stadium]], [[Faisalabad]]
 | umpires = [[Steve Randell]] and [[Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan]]
 | motm = [[Hansie Cronje]] (SA)
 | toss = 
 | rain = 
 | notes = 
}}
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
 | date = 22 February
 | team1 = {{cr-rt|ENG}}
 | score1 = 279/4 (50 overs)
 | score2 = 230/6 (50 overs)
 | team2 = {{cr|Netherlands}}
 | runs1 = [[Graeme Hick]] 104[[not out|*]] (133)
 | wickets1 = [[Roland Lefebvre]] 1/40 (10 overs)
 | runs2 = [[Klaas van Noortwijk]] 64 (82)
 | wickets2 = [[Phil DeFreitas]] 3/31 (10 overs)
 | result = England won by 49 runs
 | report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65166.html Scorecard]
 | venue = [[Arbab Niaz Stadium]], [[Peshawar]]
 | umpires = [[Steve Bucknor]] and [[K. T. Francis]]
 | motm = [[Graeme Hick]] (Eng)
 | toss = 
 | rain = 
 | notes = 
}}
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
 | date = 24 February
 | team1 = {{cr-rt|UAE}}
 | score1 = 109/9 (33 overs)
 | score2 = 112/1 (18 overs)
 | team2 = {{cr|PAK}}
 | runs1 = [[Shaukat Dukanwala]] 21[[not out|*]] (19)
 | wickets1 = [[Mushtaq Ahmed (cricketer)|Mushtaq Ahmed]] 3/16 (7 overs)
 | runs2 = [[Ijaz Ahmed (cricketer, born 1968)|Ijaz Ahmed]] 50[[not out|*]] (57)
 | wickets2 = [[Johanne Samarasekera]] 1/17 (3 overs)
 | result = Pakistan won by 9 wickets
 | report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65168.html Scorecard]
 | venue = [[Jinnah Stadium (Gujranwala)|Jinnah Stadium]], [[Gujranwala]]
 | umpires = [[B. C. Cooray]] and [[Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan]]
 | motm = [[Mushtaq Ahmed (cricketer)|Mushtaq Ahmed]] (Pak)
 | toss = 
 | rain = 
 | notes = 
}}
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
 | date = 25 February
 | team1 = {{cr-rt|RSA}}
 | score1 = 230 (50 overs)
 | score2 = 152 (44.3 overs)
 | team2 = {{cr|ENG}}
 | runs1 = [[Gary Kirsten]] 38 (60)
 | wickets1 = [[Peter Martin (cricketer)|Peter Martin]] 3/33 (10 overs)
 | runs2 = [[Graham Thorpe]] 46 (69)
 | wickets2 = [[Shaun Pollock]] 2/16 (8 overs)
 | result = South Africa won by 78 runs
 | report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65169.html Scorecard]
 | venue = [[Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium]], [[Rawalpindi]]
 | umpires = [[Steve Randell]] and [[Ian Robinson (cricket umpire)|Ian Robinson]]
 | motm = [[Jonty Rhodes]] (SA)
 | toss = 
 | rain = 
 | notes = 
}}
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
 | date = 26 February
 | team1 = {{cr-rt|Netherlands}}
 | score1 = 145/7 (50 overs)
 | score2 = 151/2 (30.4 overs)
 | team2 = {{cr|PAK}}
 | runs1 = [[Flavian Aponso]] 58
 | wickets1 = [[Waqar Younis]] 4/26
 | runs2 = [[Saeed Anwar]] 83[[not out|*]]
 | wickets2 = [[Peter Cantrell]] 1/18 (4 overs)
 | result = Pakistan won by 8 wickets
 | report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65171.html Scorecard]
 | venue = [[Gaddafi Stadium]], [[Lahore]]
 | umpires = [[K. T. Francis]] and [[Steve Bucknor]]
 | motm = [[Waqar Younis]] (Pak)
 | toss = 
 | rain = 
 | notes = 
}}
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
 | date = 27 February
 | team1 = {{cr-rt|NZL}}
 | score1 = 276/8 (47 overs)
 | score2 = 167/9 (47 overs)
 | team2 = {{cr|UAE}}
 | runs1 = [[Roger Twose]] 92 (112)
 | wickets1 = [[Azhar Saeed]] 3/45 (7 overs)
 | runs2 = [[Johanne Samarasekera]] 47 (59)
 | wickets2 = [[Shane Thomson]] 3/20
 | result = New Zealand won by 109 runs
 | report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65173.html Scorecard]
 | venue = [[Iqbal Stadium]], [[Faisalabad]]
 | umpires = [[B. C. Cooray]] and [[Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan]]
 | motm = [[Roger Twose]] (NZ)
 | toss = 
 | rain = Match reduced to 47 overs a side due to heavy fog at the start of the match.
 | notes = 
}}
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
 | date = 29 February
 | team1 = {{cr-rt|PAK}}
 | score1 = 242/6 (50 overs)
 | score2 = 243/5 (44.2 overs)
 | team2 = {{cr|RSA}}
 | runs1 = [[Aamir Sohail]] 111 (139)
 | wickets1 = [[Hansie Cronje]] 2/20 (5 overs)
 | runs2 = [[Daryll Cullinan]] 65 (76)
 | wickets2 = [[Waqar Younis]] 3/50 (8 overs)
 | result = South Africa won by 5 wickets
 | report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65176.html Scorecard]
 | venue = [[National Stadium, Karachi|National Stadium]], [[Karachi]]
 | umpires = [[K. T. Francis]] and [[Steve Bucknor]]
 | motm = [[Hansie Cronje]] (SA)
 | toss = 
 | rain = Bucknor replaced Ian Robinson as an umpire in this match after protests by Pakistan.
 | notes = 
}}
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
 | date = 1 March
 | team1 = {{cr-rt|NED}}
 | score1 = 216/9 (50 overs)
 | score2 = 220/3 (44.2 overs)
 | team2 = {{cr|UAE}}
 | runs1 = [[Peter Cantrell]] 47 (106)
 | wickets1 = [[Shaukat Dukanwala]] 5/29 (10 overs)
 | runs2 = [[Saleem Raza (cricketer)|Saleem Raza]] 84 (68)
 | wickets2 = [[Roland Lefebvre]] 1/24 (8 overs)
 | result = United Arab Emirates won by 7 wickets
 | report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65178.html Scorecard]
 | venue = [[Gaddafi Stadium]], [[Lahore]]
 | umpires = [[Mahboob Shah]] and [[Steve Randell]]
 | motm = [[Shaukat Dukanwala]] (UAE)
 | toss = 
 | rain = This was the first ever official ODI between two ICC Associate teams.
 | notes = 
}}
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
 | date = 3 March
 | team1 = {{cr-rt|ENG}}
 | score1 = 249/9 (50 overs)
 | score2 = 250/3 (47.4 overs)
 | team2 = {{cr|PAK}}
 | runs1 = [[Robin Smith (cricketer)|Robin Smith]] 75 (92)
 | wickets1 = [[Mushtaq Ahmed (cricketer)|Mushtaq Ahmed]] 3/53 (10 overs)
 | runs2 = [[Saeed Anwar]] 71 (72)
 | wickets2 = [[Dominic Cork]] 2/59 (10 overs)
 | result = Pakistan won by 7 wickets
 | report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65180.html Scorecard]
 | venue = [[National Stadium, Karachi|National Stadium]], [[Karachi]]
 | umpires = [[B. C. Cooray]] and [[Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan]]
 | motm = [[Aamer Sohail]] (Pak)
 | toss = 
 | rain = 
 | notes = 
}}
----
{{anchor|match 27}}
{{Single-innings cricket match
| date = 5 March 1996
| team1 = {{cr-rt|RSA}}
| team2 = {{cr|NED}}
| score1 = 328/3 (50 overs)
| runs1 = [[Andrew Hudson (cricketer)|Andrew Hudson]] 161 (132)
| wickets1 = [[Eric Gouka]] 1/32 (2 overs)
| score2 = 168/8 (50 overs)
| runs2 = [[Nolan Clarke]] 32 (46)
| wickets2 = [[Allan Donald]] 2/21 (6 overs)
| result = South Africa won by 160 runs
| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65182.html Scorecard]
| venue = [[Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium]], [[Rawalpindi]]
| umpires = [[Khizer Hayat]] (Pak) and [[Steve Randell]] (Aus)
| motm = [[Andrew Hudson (cricketer)|Andrew Hudson]] (SA)
| toss = South Africa won the toss and elected to bat.
| rain = 
| notes = [[Peter Cantrell]], [[Flavian Aponso]], [[Marcelis Schewe]], [[Eric Gouka]], [[Steven Lubbers]] and [[Paul-Jan Bakker]] (all Ned) played their final ODI match.<ref name="2nd ODI">{{cite web|title=Netherlands v South Africa – Wills World Cup 1995/96 (Group B)|url=https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/61/61921.html|work=CricketArchive|access-date=24 June 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160106213830/https://cricketarchive.com/Archive/Scorecards/61/61921.html|archive-date=6 January 2016}}</ref>
*[[Nolan Clarke]] (Ned), aged 47 years and 257 days, played his final ODI match, the oldest player to do so.<ref>{{cite web|first1=Martin|last1=Williamson|first2=Andrew|last2=McGlashan|title=Help the aged|url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/22864842/help-aged|work=ESPNcricinfo|date=3 July 2008|access-date=24 June 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200521224827/https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/_/id/22864842/help-aged|archive-date=21 May 2020}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=ODI records – Oldest players|url=https://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283723.html|work=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=24 June 2020|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191219132515/http://stats.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/records/283723.html|archive-date=19 December 2019}}</ref>
}}
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
 | date = 6 March
 | team1 = {{cr-rt|PAK}}
 | score1 = 281/5 (50 overs)
 | score2 = 235 (47.3 overs)
 | team2 = {{cr|NZL}}
 | runs1 = [[Saeed Anwar]] 62 (67)
 | wickets1 = [[Robert Kennedy (cricketer)|Robert Kennedy]] 1/32 (5 overs)
 | runs2 = [[Stephen Fleming]] 42 (43)
 | wickets2 = [[Mushtaq Ahmed (cricketer)|Mushtaq Ahmed]] 2/32 (10 overs)
 | result = Pakistan won by 46 runs
 | report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65185.html Scorecard]
 | venue = [[Gaddafi Stadium]], [[Lahore]]
 | umpires = [[K. T. Francis]] and [[Ian Robinson (cricket umpire)|Ian Robinson]]
 | motm = [[Saleem Malik]] (Pak)
 | toss = 
 | rain = 
 | notes = 
}}

==Knockout stage==
{{Round8
<!--Date-Place|Team 1|Score 1|Team 2|Score 2 -->
<!--quarter-finals -->
|9 March – [[Iqbal Stadium|Faisalabad]], Pakistan|{{cr|ENG}}|235/8|'''{{cr|SRI}}'''|'''236/5'''
|9 March – [[M Chinnaswamy Stadium|Bangalore]], India|'''{{cr|IND}}'''|'''287/8'''|{{cr|PAK}}|248/9
|11 March – [[National Stadium, Karachi|Karachi]], Pakistan|'''{{cr|WIN}}'''|'''264/8'''|{{cr|RSA}}|245
|11 March – [[MA Chidambaram Stadium|Madras]], India|{{cr|NZL}}|286/9|'''{{cr|AUS}}'''|'''289/4'''
<!--semi-finals -->
|13 March – [[Eden Gardens|Calcutta]], India|'''{{cr|SRI}}'''|'''251/8'''|{{cr|IND}}|120/8
|14 March – [[Punjab C.A. Stadium|Mohali]], India|{{cr|WIN}}|202|'''{{cr|AUS}}'''|'''207/8'''
<!--final -->
|17 March – [[Gaddafi Stadium|Lahore]], Pakistan|'''{{cr|SRI}}'''|'''245/3'''|{{cr|AUS}}|241/7}}

===Quarter-finals===
{{Single-innings cricket match
 | date = 9 March
 | team1 = {{cr-rt|ENG}}
 | score1 = 235/8 (50 overs)
 | score2 = 236/5 (40.4 overs)
 | team2 = {{cr|SRI}}
 | runs1 = [[Phil DeFreitas]] 67 (64)
 | wickets1 = [[Kumar Dharmasena]] 2/30 (10 overs)
 | runs2 = [[Sanath Jayasuriya]] 82 (44)
 | wickets2 = [[Dermot Reeve]] 1/14 (4 overs)
 | result = Sri Lanka won by 5 wickets
 | report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65186.html Scorecard]
 | venue = [[Iqbal Stadium]], [[Faisalabad]]
 | umpires = [[Mahboob Shah]] and [[Ian Robinson (cricket umpire)|Ian Robinson]]
 | motm = [[Sanath Jayasuriya]] (SL)
 | toss = England won the toss and elected to bat first.
 | rain = 
 | notes = [[Richard Illingworth]] played his final ODI game.
}}• [[Robin Smith (cricketer)|Robin Smith]] Played his final ODI match
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
 | date = 9 March
 | team1 = {{cr-rt|IND}}
 | score1 = 287/8 (50 overs)
 | score2 = 248/9 (49 overs)
 | team2 = {{cr|PAK}}
 | runs1 = [[Navjot Singh Sidhu]] 93 (115)
 | wickets1 = [[Mushtaq Ahmed (cricketer)|Mushtaq Ahmed]] 2/56 (10 overs)
 | runs2 = [[Aamer Sohail]] 55 (46)
 | wickets2 = [[Venkatesh Prasad]] 3/45 (10 overs)
 | result = India won by 39 runs
 | report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65187.html Scorecard]
 | venue = [[M Chinnaswamy Stadium]], [[Bangalore]]
 | umpires = [[Steve Bucknor]] and [[David Shepherd (umpire)|David Shepherd]]
 | motm = [[Navjot Singh Sidhu]] (Ind)
 | toss = India won the toss and elected to bat first.
 | rain = Pakistan was fined 1 over for a slow [[over rate]].
 | notes = 
This was the last ODI which [[Javed Miandad]] played.
}}
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
 | date = 11 March
 | team1 = {{cr-rt|WIN}}
 | score1 = 264/8 (50 overs)
 | score2 = 245 (49.3 overs)
 | team2 = {{cr|RSA}}
 | runs1 = [[Brian Lara]] 111 (94)
 | wickets1 = [[Brian McMillan]] 2/37 (10 overs)
 | runs2 = [[Daryll Cullinan]] 69 (78)
 | wickets2 = [[Roger Harper]] 4/47 (10 overs)
 | result = West Indies won by 19 runs
 | report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65188.html Scorecard]
 | venue = [[National Stadium, Karachi|National Stadium]], [[Karachi]]
 | umpires = [[K. T. Francis]] and [[Steve Randell]]
 | motm = [[Brian Lara]] (WI)
 | toss = West Indies won the toss and elected to bat.
 | rain = 
 | notes = 
}}
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
 | date = 11 March
 | team1 = {{cr-rt|NZL}}
 | score1 = 286/9 (50 overs)
 | score2 = 289/4 (47.5 overs)
 | team2 = {{cr|AUS}}
 | runs1 = [[Chris Harris (cricketer)|Chris Harris]] 130 (124)
 | wickets1 = [[Glenn McGrath]] 2/50 (9 overs)
 | runs2 = [[Mark Waugh]] 110 (112)
 | wickets2 = [[Nathan Astle]] 1/21 (3 overs)
 | result = Australia won by 6 wickets
 | report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65189.html Scorecard]
 | venue = [[MA Chidambaram Stadium]], [[Chennai|Madras]]
 | umpires = [[Cyril Mitchley]] and [[Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan]]
 | motm = [[Mark Waugh]] (Aus)
 | toss = New Zealand won the toss and elected to bat first.
 | rain = 
 | notes = 
}}

===Semi-finals===
{{Single-innings cricket match
 | date = 13 March
 | team1 = {{cr-rt|SRI}}
 | team2 = {{cr|IND}}
 | score1 = 251/8 (50 overs)
 | score2 = 120/8 (34.1 overs)
 | runs1 = [[Aravinda de Silva]] 66 (47)
 | wickets1 = [[Javagal Srinath]] 3/34 (7 overs)
 | runs2 = [[Sachin Tendulkar]] 65 (88)
 | wickets2 = [[Sanath Jayasuriya]] 3/12 (7 overs)
 | result = Sri Lanka won by default
 | report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65190.html Scorecard]
 | venue = [[Eden Gardens]], [[Kolkata|Calcutta]]
 | umpires = [[Steve Dunne (cricket umpire)|Steve Dunne]] and [[Cyril Mitchley]]
 | motm = [[Aravinda de Silva]] (SL)
 | toss = India won the toss and elected to field.
 | rain = The match was awarded to [[Sri Lanka national cricket team|Sri Lanka]] by match referee [[Clive Lloyd]] when play could not be continued due to the rioting crowd.<ref name="sportstar"/><ref name = "news18"/>
 | notes = Sri Lanka qualified for the final for first time.
}}
----
{{Single-innings cricket match
 | date = 14 March
 | team1 = {{cr-rt|AUS}}
 | score1 = 207/8 (50 overs)
 | score2 = 202 (49.3 overs)
 | team2 = {{cr|WIN}}
 | runs1 = [[Stuart Law]] 72 (105)
 | wickets1 = [[Curtly Ambrose]] 2/26 (10 overs)
 | runs2 = [[Shivnarine Chanderpaul]] 80 (126)
 | wickets2 = [[Shane Warne]] 4/36 (9 overs)
 | result = Australia won by 5 runs
 | report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65191.html Scorecard]
 | venue = [[Punjab Cricket Association Stadium]], [[Mohali]]
 | umpires = [[B. C. Cooray]] and [[Srinivasaraghavan Venkataraghavan]]
 | motm = [[Shane Warne]] (Aus)
 | toss = Australia won the toss and elected to bat.
 | rain = 
 | notes = Australia qualified for the final for third time after [[1975 Cricket World Cup|1975]] and [[1987 Cricket World Cup|1987]].  
* This was the last ODI played by [[Richie Richardson]].
}}

==Final==
{{Main|1996 Cricket World Cup Final}}

{{Single-innings cricket match
 | date = 17 March
 | daynight = yes
 | team1 = {{cr-rt|AUS}}
 | score1 = 241/7 (50 overs)
 | score2 = 245/3 (46.2 overs)
 | team2 = {{cr|SRI}}
 | runs1 = [[Mark Taylor (cricketer)|Mark Taylor]] 74 (83)
 | wickets1 = [[Aravinda de Silva]] 3/42 (9 overs)
 | runs2 = [[Aravinda de Silva]] 107[[not out|*]] (124)
 | wickets2 = [[Damien Fleming]] 1/43 (6 overs)
 | result = Sri Lanka won by 7 wickets
 | report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/65192.html Scorecard]
 | venue = [[Gaddafi Stadium]], [[Lahore]]
 | umpires = [[Steve Bucknor]] and [[David Shepherd (umpire)|David Shepherd]]
 | motm = [[Aravinda de Silva]] (SL)
 | toss = Sri Lanka won the toss and elected to field.
 | rain = 
 | notes = 
}}

==Statistics==
{{main|1996 Cricket World Cup statistics}}

[[File:Sachin at Castrol Golden Spanner Awards.jpg|thumb|upright|Sachin Tendulkar, the leading run scorer in the tournament]]
[[File:Anil Kumble.jpg|thumb|upright|Anil Kumble, the leading wicket taker in the tournament]]

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Leading run scorers<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wills World Cup, 1995/96 batting most runs career Records |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/tournament/batting-most-runs-career/wills-world-cup-1995-96-722 |access-date=2023-07-21 |work=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}</ref>
|-
! Runs !! Player !! Country
|-
|align="center"| 523 || [[Sachin Tendulkar]] || {{cr|IND}}
|-
|align="center"| 484 || [[Mark Waugh]] || {{cr|AUS}}
|-
|align="center"| 448 || [[Aravinda de Silva]] || {{cr|SRI}}
|-
|align="center"| 391 || [[Gary Kirsten]] || {{cr|RSA}}
|-
|align="center"| 329 || [[Saeed Anwar]] || {{cr|PAK}}
|}

{| class="wikitable"
|+ Leading wicket takers<ref>{{Cite web |title=Wills World Cup, 1995/96 bowling most wickets career Records |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/records/tournament/bowling-most-wickets-career/wills-world-cup-1995-96-722 |access-date=2023-07-21 |work=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}</ref>
|-
! Wickets !! Player !! Country
|-
|-
|align="center"| 15 || [[Anil Kumble]] || {{cr|IND}}
|-
|align="center"| 13 || [[Waqar Younis]] || {{cr|PAK}}
|-
|align="center" rowspan="5"| 12
|-
| [[Paul Strang]] || {{cr|ZIM}}
|-
| [[Roger Harper]] || {{cr|WIN}}
|-
| [[Damien Fleming]] || {{cr|AUS}}
|-
| [[Shane Warne]] || {{cr|AUS}}
|}

==Notes and references==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
*[http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/content/series/60981.html Cricket World Cup 1996 ] from [[ESPNcricinfo]]

{{Cricket World Cup}}
{{1996 Cricket World Cup}}

[[Category:1996 Cricket World Cup| ]]
[[Category:1996 in Indian cricket|World Cup]]
[[Category:1996 in Pakistani cricket|World Cup]]
[[Category:1996 in Sri Lankan cricket|World Cup]]
[[Category:International cricket competitions from 1994–95 to 1997]]
[[Category:International cricket competitions in India]]
[[Category:International cricket competitions in Pakistan]]
[[Category:International cricket competitions in Sri Lanka]]
[[Category:February 1996 sports events in Asia|Cricket World Cup]]
[[Category:March 1996 sports events in Asia|Cricket World Cup]]
[[Category:ITC Limited]]
[[Category:India–Pakistan cricket rivalry]]
[[Category:India–Sri Lanka sports relations]]
[[Category:Pakistan–Sri Lanka sports relations]]