subshakerz
International Coach
Just wanted to write a post on memorable defeats for the side you support. But not just ordinary defeats, defeats that came from nowhere when all was looking good, and left a really bad sting that resonates even now. Here are five that I have for Pakistan:
5. 3rd Test: Pakistan v South Africa at Faisalabad, Oct 24-27, 1997 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
What happened: In the deciding test, Pakistan with argually its strongest bowling attack ever (Wasim, Waqar, Mushtaq and Saqlain) managed to keep a tight lid on an otherwise strong SA batting lineup. After managing a decent first innings lead they continued to chip away at them despite Symcox somehow getting his second fifty of the match. In the end, all that was left for a historic victory was a paltry 146. Yet somehow Pakistan subsided to 92 with a rash of poor shots and giving Symcox of all bowlers figures of 3-8.
Why it stings: South Africa in the mid-90s had the wood over Pakistan in both formats, and victory would have removed the shackles that they had over the team. It could have kept Pakistan in contention for being one of the best sides in the world after Australia. Also, the defeat continued the downward slide of Pakistan's proud record on home soil that started around 1995. It also rankles that a mediocre player like Symcox turned out to be the difference between the sides.
4. 2nd Test: Australia v Pakistan at Hobart, Nov 18-22, 1999 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
What happened:
Pakistan were smashed in the previous game yet made a stirring comeback here. Saqlain in an inspired spell restricted Australia to a slender first innings lead, before Inzi scored his first ton against the Aussies. Australia slumped to 126-5 needing 369, and the game seemed over before Gilchrist did his thing with help from Langer. The formidable Pakistani attack suddenly lost its potency and the series was lost.
Why it stings: Beating Waugh's all-time great Australia at home in a live test would have been a great achievement, and a measure of revenge for an embarassing lost in the World Cup. Instead, the whole tour eneded up a disaster.
3. 3rd Test: West Indies v Pakistan at St John's, May 25-29, 2000 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
What happened:
In the deciding test of the series, Pakistan thanks to some inspired bowling from Wasim who reversed the bowl with elan managed to restrict any WI lead, and finally WI were set a challenging 216 on a dicey pitch. Wasim was bowling pure magic, and Pakistan seemed to have the game when WI were 197-9, only for Jimmy Adams and Walsh to somehow survive two umpiring gaffes and missed run out chances and lead them over the winning line.
Why it stings:
It would have meant a first Pakistan victory in the WI, and have helped Pakistani fans still reeling from the matchfixing crisis. Instead, it was completely botched and meant Pakistan are still waiting for a series victory in the region to this day.
2. 2nd Test: Australia v Pakistan at Sydney, Jan 3-6, 2010 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
What happened:
After getting hammered in the previous test, Pakistan thanks to Asif skittled Austrlia for 127 on a green pitch. With a considerable first innings lead, the match looked over when Australia were effectively 51-8. Yet Yousuf's timid captaincy and Akmal's keeping gave Pakistan a target of 176, and they duly collapsed to hand Australia the series yet again.
Why it stings:
Victory would have meant breaking Australia record of victories against Pakistan and keeping the series alive against a more vulnerable Australia side. Instead, the entire episode reeked of defeatism at best and possible match-fixing at worst. Handing over the series after such a lack of effort made this more unpalatable.
1. 3rd Test: West Indies v Pakistan at Bridgetown, Apr 22-27, 1988 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
What happened:
With Pakistan leading 1-0 in the series, the final test saw an epic battle with Marshall and Richaards in full form. The first innings being in near parity, Pakistan scrambled together a target of 266 for the hosts. Thanks to some fiery bowling from Akram, they were left at 207-8 before some patriotic umpiring assisted the WI in getting home through an unlikely 9th wicket partnership.
Why it stings:
The umpire later admitted that the crowd reaction impacted his decision-making. Pakistan were robbed of what surely would have been the greatest series victory in their history and the crown of Imran's captaincy career over even the World Cup. Pakistan would have become the only side to beat the mighty WI in the 80s and have a legimitate stake to be no.1. Instead, they had to settle with a drawn series, an achievement in its own right, but not enough.
5. 3rd Test: Pakistan v South Africa at Faisalabad, Oct 24-27, 1997 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
What happened: In the deciding test, Pakistan with argually its strongest bowling attack ever (Wasim, Waqar, Mushtaq and Saqlain) managed to keep a tight lid on an otherwise strong SA batting lineup. After managing a decent first innings lead they continued to chip away at them despite Symcox somehow getting his second fifty of the match. In the end, all that was left for a historic victory was a paltry 146. Yet somehow Pakistan subsided to 92 with a rash of poor shots and giving Symcox of all bowlers figures of 3-8.
Why it stings: South Africa in the mid-90s had the wood over Pakistan in both formats, and victory would have removed the shackles that they had over the team. It could have kept Pakistan in contention for being one of the best sides in the world after Australia. Also, the defeat continued the downward slide of Pakistan's proud record on home soil that started around 1995. It also rankles that a mediocre player like Symcox turned out to be the difference between the sides.
4. 2nd Test: Australia v Pakistan at Hobart, Nov 18-22, 1999 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
What happened:
Pakistan were smashed in the previous game yet made a stirring comeback here. Saqlain in an inspired spell restricted Australia to a slender first innings lead, before Inzi scored his first ton against the Aussies. Australia slumped to 126-5 needing 369, and the game seemed over before Gilchrist did his thing with help from Langer. The formidable Pakistani attack suddenly lost its potency and the series was lost.
Why it stings: Beating Waugh's all-time great Australia at home in a live test would have been a great achievement, and a measure of revenge for an embarassing lost in the World Cup. Instead, the whole tour eneded up a disaster.
3. 3rd Test: West Indies v Pakistan at St John's, May 25-29, 2000 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
What happened:
In the deciding test of the series, Pakistan thanks to some inspired bowling from Wasim who reversed the bowl with elan managed to restrict any WI lead, and finally WI were set a challenging 216 on a dicey pitch. Wasim was bowling pure magic, and Pakistan seemed to have the game when WI were 197-9, only for Jimmy Adams and Walsh to somehow survive two umpiring gaffes and missed run out chances and lead them over the winning line.
Why it stings:
It would have meant a first Pakistan victory in the WI, and have helped Pakistani fans still reeling from the matchfixing crisis. Instead, it was completely botched and meant Pakistan are still waiting for a series victory in the region to this day.
2. 2nd Test: Australia v Pakistan at Sydney, Jan 3-6, 2010 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
What happened:
After getting hammered in the previous test, Pakistan thanks to Asif skittled Austrlia for 127 on a green pitch. With a considerable first innings lead, the match looked over when Australia were effectively 51-8. Yet Yousuf's timid captaincy and Akmal's keeping gave Pakistan a target of 176, and they duly collapsed to hand Australia the series yet again.
Why it stings:
Victory would have meant breaking Australia record of victories against Pakistan and keeping the series alive against a more vulnerable Australia side. Instead, the entire episode reeked of defeatism at best and possible match-fixing at worst. Handing over the series after such a lack of effort made this more unpalatable.
1. 3rd Test: West Indies v Pakistan at Bridgetown, Apr 22-27, 1988 | Cricket Scorecard | ESPN Cricinfo
What happened:
With Pakistan leading 1-0 in the series, the final test saw an epic battle with Marshall and Richaards in full form. The first innings being in near parity, Pakistan scrambled together a target of 266 for the hosts. Thanks to some fiery bowling from Akram, they were left at 207-8 before some patriotic umpiring assisted the WI in getting home through an unlikely 9th wicket partnership.
Why it stings:
The umpire later admitted that the crowd reaction impacted his decision-making. Pakistan were robbed of what surely would have been the greatest series victory in their history and the crown of Imran's captaincy career over even the World Cup. Pakistan would have become the only side to beat the mighty WI in the 80s and have a legimitate stake to be no.1. Instead, they had to settle with a drawn series, an achievement in its own right, but not enough.
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