5 biggest run fests in Test cricket since 2000
After the advent of T20 cricket, Test cricket has come under the scanner. The dwindling viewership and declining interest among fans don’t hold the format in great shape. The advertisement of Test cricket is of prime importance and can’t be compromised by any stretch of the imagination.
There have been occasions in test match Cricket in the past where the batsmen racked up runs at will, while the bowlers haplessly tried their hearts out and that is not the appropriate advertisement of the oldest version of the game.
Let us go through five of the biggest run fests in test Cricket since 2000-
#5 Pakistan vs India, 2nd Test, Faisalabad, 2006
The second Test of India’s tour of Pakistan turned out to be a delight for batsmen and a nightmare for bowlers. After winning the toss and electing to bat first, Pakistan racked up 588 runs in their first innings.
Shahid Afridi’s majestic knock of 156 runs, supported by Inzamam-ul-Haq’s elegant ton helped Pakistan reach the mammoth total. R.P Singh was the pick of the Indian bowlers with figures of 4/89. However, tons from Rahul Dravid and M.S Dhoni spearheaded India to a first innings lead.
During Pakistan’s second innings, Younis Khan’s jaw-dropping 194 runs and Mohammed Yousuf’s classical century helped Pakistan set a target of 476 runs for India. Zaheer Khan, after picking up 3 wickets in Pakistan’s first innings returned with figures of 4/61 in the second innings too.
During the fag end of Day 5, V.V.S Laxman and Rahul Dravid completed the formalities for India while Afridi and Younis bowled the eight overs for Pakistan.
Brief Scores
Pakistan, 1st innings: 588 all out, Shahid Afridi 156, Inzamam-ul-Haq 119; R.P Singh 4/89, Zaheer Khan 3/135
India, 1st innings: 603 all out, M.S. Dhoni 148, Rahul Dravid 103; Danish Kaneria 3/165, Shahid Afridi 2/91
Pakistan, 2nd innings: 490/8 dec, Younis Khan 194, Mohammad Yousuf 126; Zaheer Khan 4/61, R.P Singh 1/75
India, 2nd innings: 21/0, V.V.S Laxman 8*, Rahul Dravid 5*; Shahid Afridi 0/16, Younis Khan 0/5