5 memorable Test performances by a Pakistani player in Australia
Pakistan are set to kick start a 3-match Test series in Australia from the 15th at the Gabba. Although they have historically won a total of only four Tests on Australian soil from 32 attempts, their unpredictable brand of cricket usually attracts a sizeable crowd.
With the surfaces Down Under quite conducive to pace and bounce, it is no surprise that their strongest suit has been the one which helped generate most of their positive memories. However, the much-maligned batsmen have also lifted their game on quite a few occasions against some hostile fast bowlers.
Here are five of the best individual Test performances of all-time by a Pakistani player in Australia.
#5 Wasim Akram (52 & 123, 5/100 & 1/29) in Adelaide, 1990
Pakistan had ended the 80s as probably the second best team of that era after the mighty West Indies. Led by the legendary Imran Khan, they could compete in almost every corner of the globe. They were up against an Australian outfit which was gradually forming into a resilient one under Allan Border’s hard-nosed captaincy. Following a fascinating series opener in Melbourne (Yup, that’s coming up later), the visitors decided to bat first in Adelaide.
Coming in to bat at 187/6, Akram smashed a 68-ball 52 to take the total to a respectable 257. Despite bowling a marathon spell of 43 overs for five wickets, the southpaw was not done yet. With half the team back in the dressing room and the lead at just five runs, he scored a 195-ball 123 to change the game alongside Imran.
The game eventually ended in a draw but had it not been for him, Australia could have cruised to a victory.