LAHORE: The fans have voted Pakistan’s 12-run win over India at Chennai in January 1999 as the greatest match in the country’s 432-Test history, the PCB announced on Monday here in a media release.

In the July 26-29 voting period fans cast their 65 percent of their votes in favour the Chennai Test on the PCB’s official Facebook page and Twitter handle, while the 1987 Bangalore Test received 15 percent of votes, the 1954 The Oval Test 11 percent and the 1994 Karachi Test 10 percent.

“The poll received nearly 109,000 impressions on Twitter and achieved a reach of 1.02 million on Facebook. Furthermore, it also remained one of the most engaging social media activity in the region during the four-day period,” a PCB spokesman said.

The PCB had given an opportunity to the fans and followers to vote for Pakistan’s greatest Test as part of its initiative to celebrate the launch of World Test Championship

The above-mentioned four Test victories were chosen by an independent panel.

Commenting on Chennai Test victory, Wasim Akram, who led Pakistan in that series, reminisced: “If all those who watched it live can still get goosebumps, just imagine the emotions, reactions and feelings of those who were directly involved in that match. We talk a lot about pressure cricket and a match of fluctuating fortunes, well, if anyone wants to know what pressure is and how to handle and deliver in it, then Chennai Test is the benchmark.

“I was involved in three of the four Tests that were shortlisted and cannot agree more with the fans choice of the 1999 Chennai Test as Pakistan’s greatest Test to date.

“For me, three things from the Chennai Test will always remain fresh: Shahid Afridi’s knock of 141 in the second innings, Saqlain Mushtaq’s five-for in each innings and the Indian crowd’s standing ovation. Let’s not forget this was our first Test in India since the 1987 Bangalore Test win and we had arrived in Chennai unsure of the public response.”

Afridi, who scored a total of 152 runs in that match and took three wickets in the first innings, said: “Now, that the fans have voted the 1999 Chennai Test as Pakistan’s greatest Test, it is a perfect icing on the cake. I feel honoured to have been part of that mercurial side that had all the grace, class, talent and above all, ability to win from any stage. To get chance to play and then contribute in the team’s success was something I am always very proud of.”

The fans widely discussed the poll and the local media also joined them in celebrating the country’s rich cricketing legacy.

Pakistan Cricket Board Managing Director Wasim Khan said: “I am delighted that the fans got an opportunity to remember and cherish the epic feats of our team. I congratulate the stars of the 1999 team. That the victory is still being celebrated after more than two decades underscores its magnificence and what it means to the fans of Pakistan cricket.

“I also want to thank the media for extending their support to us by providing air-time and column inches to this poll and turning it into a massive success”.

“Pakistan is a proud Test nation and we are pleased to join the ICC in the launch of the prestigious ICC World Test Championship. I am hopeful that by providing context to every Test match around the world, we will see an increase in the fan base for the format.”

Published in Dawn, July 30th, 2019