Pakistan Achievements in Test Cricket

Cricket and Pakistan people esp. young generation have very sensitive relationship. Losing of match never accepted on any cost by die hard fans of cricket of Pakistan. I want to share some glory moments of Pakistan cricket in test match format.

1st Ever Test Win: Pakistan not waited too long for a first ever win in test. They opened their account of succees in their first ever series against India and declared their impressive entrance in cricket world. Surprisingly, New Zealand, India and South Africa took almost 26 years, 20 years and 17 years and 6 series respectively to taste a triumph.

That historical win was registered at 26th of October 1952 in Lucknow, in four day match. Hero of the match was Fazal Mehmood who finishes the 2nd Indian inning with lbw of S Nyalchand. He took 12 wickets in the match; Nazar Mohammad hit an unbeaten century. Pakistan won that match by an inning and 43 runs. That was successful start of a newly self-governing country that entered into test arena.

1st Ever Test Series Win: That milestone achieved against New Zealand in 1955/56 season in home series. New Zealand was not considered as strong side, but to get confidence and self believe, teams often cash these kind of chances. Win is matter in sports, not opponent or time.

Pakistan won this three matches series with 2-0. Imtiaz Ahmed was the batting hero with 284 runs and Zulfiqar Ahmed the unsung bowling hero of Pakistan took 19 wickets in 3 matches. Pakistani bowlers dominated this series, H Kardar and K Mohammad also finished the series with 10 and 13 wickets respectively.

1st Ever Overseas Test Series Win: Overseas test series win always consider the most significant achievement of any country. For this landmark Pakistan had to wait almost 20 years. This high point also achieved against the same opposition as they had registered their 1st ever test series win.

That was also 3 match test series which Pakistan won by 1-0 in 1972/73 season. The only match won by Pakistan in February, 1973. Mushtaq Mohammad was the hero of that only win. He completed the match with a double hundred and a five wicket haul with overall tally of 7 wickets.

In that series, top four run getters of the series were from Pakistan. Sadiq Mohammad (366 with 73.20 average) ended the series with highest run scorer and his elder brother Mushtaq Mohammad finished with impressive average of 105 with 314 runs. Intikhab Alam was dominated in bowling's wickets stats with 18 scalps.

Biggest Test Victory (up till now): Who can forget Inzamam's 329 inning against New Zealand (Pakistan achieved many milestones against them) in Lahore in May 2002. He missed the Great Hanif Mohmmad's record by 8 runs. Pakistan won that match with an inning and 324 runs (Unlucky Shahid Afridi got 'duck' in that match). The result of this match is still reognized in record books as 5th largest margin of victory in test cricket and highest victory for Pakistan team against any opposition in test match cricket. (Courtesy: Weekly Mentor Pg. 04: Nov 07)