Pakistan vs Sri Lanka: Team green is breaking records and flying high!

Sri Lanka continued to complain of darkness while Misbah pulled the winning single in style.

Aqib Shahzad Bhatti January 21, 2014
Many young cricket fans in Pakistan regret being deprived of watching the great moments of Pakistani cricket live in Sharjah. Whether it was Aqib Javed’s seven-wicket haul against India in 1991 or the great six of Javed Miandad – these youngsters missed these classic moments which were later discontinued due to the ban on the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.

But this regret was wiped out on January 20, 2013 when the Pakistan cricket team added to the countless memories of the Sharjah ground by achieving yet another milestone when they gave birth to a new world record in Test cricket by chasing a target of 300 runs by Sri Lanka and scoring 5.25 runs per over in less than 60 overs. No other team has managed to chase a target of over 300 runs in less than 60 overs ever before.

Even when Pakistan chased a target of 300-plus runs against Australia in 1994, it took them 106 overs to do so while scoring 315 runs for nine wickets in the fourth innings.

Many Pakistanis thought that the third and final Test match would be a short one, especially after the media stated that ‘now only a miracle could save Pakistan’. Well, Pakistan actually made this miracle happen when it saved the series in style and added to the awesome memories of Sharjah cricket – the second home ground for the Pakistan cricket team.

The match was headed towards a draw and only one-and-half innings out of four were completed at the end of three days. But this slow start had a great fifth day in store for Test cricket fans.

The tables turned in favour of Pakistan on the last day when Abdur Rehman ripped through the lower order of Sri Lankan batting. Pakistan was a sitting duck right off the bat on the fifth day and along with other factors, Mathews’ captaincy was a drop in the bucket – first during batting and later while fielding.

At lunch, Pakistan had the most positive game plan ever put forward and our top-order batsmen had their work cut out for them as they needed to chase a world record. But taking into account Misbah’s usually defensive approach, fans were really not expecting this match to be a thriller at all.

This day was even more special since it was the last day of the unforgettable partnership between Dav Whatmore and Misbah.

Misbahul Haq hit an unbeaten half century on the fifth day of the third test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Photo: AFP

Although our openers provided a brisk start, they were soon out.

By evening our top order had managed to make 107 runs off three wickets but the real surge was yet to come. Sarfraz Ahmed was sent at the top of the order and not only did he hit a flurry of shots, he maintained great partnership with Azhar Ali who played the most positive innings of his life and accumulated runs while briskly switching between defence and attack.

Pakistan's Sarfraz Ahmed plays a shot during his knock of 48 on the fifth day of the third test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Photo: AFP

Azhar played the anchor role by adding 89 runs with Sarfraz and then the winning blow of 109 runs with Misbah. He scored his fifth Test century including only six fours accentuating the role of singles and twos.

Azhar Ali hit a match-winning century on the fifth day of the third test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Photo: AFP

Mathews’ poor display of captaincy greatly aided Pakistan in chasing the target as well. At the close, when hopes of Sri Lanka winning the match had faded, their fielders continued their frenzy while Misbah pulled the winning single in style.

So, now the only thing left for us to do is to roll out the red carpet for our national team. Pakistan cricket team, you have done us proud!
WRITTEN BY:
Aqib Shahzad Bhatti Pursuing Masters in Chemical Engineering from NUST. He is an inveterate sports devotee and loves writing. He tweets @aqibbhatti (https://twitter.com/AQIBBHATTI)
The views expressed by the writer and the reader comments do not necassarily reflect the views and policies of the Express Tribune.

COMMENTS (9)

Numan | 10 years ago | Reply Pakistan Zindabad.........azhar rocks.....
Kashif | 10 years ago | Reply Pakistan Cricket team is the most entertaining team in the world regadless of their bad performances....
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