In all their previous England outings, it hasn’t always been a bed of roses for Pakistan. And with a young, inexperienced side, it is definitely going to be tough for Rashid Latif’s men
PAKISTAN’S tour of England is in full-swing side. But no matter the changed character of current cricket, there is always a heritage when it comes to old rivals. And previous encounters still ring true and bring back fond memories when life was light and cricket was soft.
As Pakistan captain Rashid Latif brings out his fledgling ‘school’ side down the steps of Old Trafford, memories flash by of some of the great contests previous Pakistani teams have fought for the glory of the star and the crescent.
Away from England there are many memorable victories for Pakistan and some close losses to the Englishmen. There has been the unforgettable tension of the 1992 World Cup final. Then there is that classic finale at the WACA in 1987, when England won with three balls to spare. Of course who can for the 1987 World Cup campaign, where Rameez and Malik bulldozed an imposing target of 250. Even as recent as December 2000, Pakistan fought helplessly as England’s batsmen successfully chased a target of over 300 under the lights in Karachi. However, to keep focus on the job at hand, let us look back at Pakistan’s efforts in England in ODIs.
Pakistan has played 23 ODIs against England, in England. They have won eight and lost 15. Their highest total against the English is 273 which they scored in 2001 during the triangular involving Australia. On their part, England’s highest score against Pakistan is 363, hit during the 1992 visit.
Pakistan’s lowest total against the English has been 85, whereas England struggled to compile their 156.
Trent Bridge, 1974: Pakistan’s first ODI against England was also their second overall. David Lloyd hit 116 to take England to 244-4 in 50 overs. But then Majid Khan, in an opening stand of 113 with Sadiq (41), savaged the strong England attack to score a century off only 88 balls. Eventually Pakistan won by seven wickets in the 43rd over.
Edgbaston, 1974: In a rain shortened match, Pakistani seamers tore through the English batting, boasting names such as Lloyd, Edrich, Fletcher and Tony Greig. Asif Masood, Sarfraz, Imran and Asif Iqbal each take two wickets each as the hosts struggle to 81 for nine in 35 overs, after being down at 28-8. Zaheer cracks 57 in reply as Pakistan proves there is nothing wrong with the pitch. England lose within 18 overs.
Headingley, 1979: One of the most exciting games of all time is also the last group match of the 1979 World Cup, Pakistan have England down to 118-8 before Taylor and Willis stretch them to 165-9 in their 60 overs. Majid Khan takes 3-27 off 12 overs on a seaming pitch and Sikander 3-32.
Sadiq begins the assault and takes Pakistan to 27-0. However, after he chops Mike Hendrick onto his stumps, Pakistan are on their knees at 34-6. Brearley bowls Mike Hendrick through as he finishes with 12-6-15-4. Skipper Asif Iqbal is first joined by Wasim Raja and then Imran to lead the rear-guard but falls at 115 for 51. Bari joins Imran to take the score to 145 before he’s caught-behind, off Boycott. He then takes care of Sikander as Pakistan fall short by 14 runs with four overs left.
Edgbaston 1987: Coming into this final game, tied at one game a piece, Pakistan’s 213-9 in 55 overs look disappointing, especially since they were 168-3 after losing two wickets for nought in the first over. Miandad’s 68 has been the cornerstone of the innings. But then England collapse to 34-3. And by the time they are 167-8, Pakistan appear to be cruising for a memorable win. But then Defreitas hammers 33 off 22 balls as Pakistan drop their chances. Eventually, England win with three balls to spare.
Lord’s, 1992: After a Test series where England have been mesmerized by Wasim and Waqar, Pakistan enter this game having lost the previous three. The previous one was especially harsh after England smashed the famed Pakistani attack for 363.
At Lords, they totter to 204-5 after an unbeaten 50 off 60 balls by skipper Miandad and 48 by Malik. Pakistan check England’s charge, but at 191-6 they are cruising along. Then, Wasim and Waqar then combine to take three for two and when Waqar bowls out the last man, Pakistan have three runs and four balls to defend them with.
Trent Bridge, 1996: Entering this third game having already lost the rubber, Pakistan bowl out England for 246 off the last ball as Nick Knight bats through for 125 not out. After an opening stand of 93 between the two Anwers, Saeed and Shahid, Pakistan look set to win at 182-3. But then Adam Hollioake takes Shadab Kabir, Asif Mujtaba and Wasim to make the score 199-6. at 219 they lose Ijaz Ahmed for 59. By then Rashid Latif is leading the fightback and with Saqlain he takes the score to 240. He eventually makes the winning stroke to finish on 31 off 28 balls as Pakistan scrape through with two balls to spare.
Lord’s 2001: Pakistan are restricted to 242 in 50 overs despite a fine 81 from Yousuf Youhana and an entertaining unbeaten 27 from 21 balls by Azhar Mahmood.
With England at 26-3, in reply, Pakistan have the upper hand. But then Trescothick and Owais Shah take charge with a 170 run stand. Shah gets run out for 62 with the score 196. But with 52 to get in 59 balls, England are on top. Trescothick continues to flay the bowling at will even as the Pakistan bowlers chip away at the other end.
At 237-8 and with five balls left, Trescothick is caught by Afridi off Saqlain for 137. With three to get off the last ball, Rashid Latif stumps Caddick and Pakistan win by two runs.
Headingley 2001: This was a match is significant for two reasons. One, Waqar’s 7-36, the best figures by a Pakistani against England. England eventually make 156, their lowest total against Pakistan in a 50-over game in England.
Razzaq’s brilliant 50 helped Pakistan to within four runs of victory, off 10 overs with six wickets in hand. That is when the crowd invasion of the pitch led to the abandonment of the game. England wisely conceded.
Pakistan’s present tour of England is being played without the services of veterans such as Saeed Anwar, Inzamam-ul-Haq, Saqlain Mushtaq, Shahid Afridi and Abdul Razzaq, veterans and formerly important members of the Pakistan ODI side.
On the other hand, Rashid Latif, Azhar Mahmood, Yousuf Youhana and Younis Khan are the only survivors from Pakistan’s last visit to England.
But the youngsters and a lot of first timers in the squad, have those moments all through the last 30 years to take inspiration from. They are on the right side of the statistics. Pakistan may have lost eight ODIs in a row in England between 1978 and 1987 and won only three one-dayers in England in a period of 18 years upto 1996. But they have beaten England on their grounds in the last four One-Day matches they have contested there.
They may have a new team but they have the right momentum as well.
