However, a man whose future was in doubt after a serious run-in with the authorities turned the tables on the Australians. Younus Khan struck three consecutive centuries, Azhar Ali came of age and Misbah batted like a man possessed. Add to this the exploits of Sarfraz Ahmed and Ahmed Shehzad and Pakistan’s fragile batting line-up suddenly seemed to have more strength than the Great Wall of China.
Ajmal was hardly missed as Zulfiqar Babar and Yasir Shah spun a treacherous web around the tourists. The two accounted for 26 victims in the two Tests to ensure a whitewash. Pakistan have now vaulted to number three in the ICC Test rankings, and a 3-0 win against New Zealand in the upcoming series can consolidate their status further. The Black Caps know well that against a Pakistan team in such supreme form, their chances of success remain minimal. However, any show of complacency can turn the tables on Pakistan, and Misbah and the team management must be vigilant in this regard as the World Cup is round the corner, too. The New Zealand Tests will be followed by a five-match ODI series against the same team and Pakistan must carry the momentum gained against Australia in these encounters.
Published in The Express Tribune, November 6th, 2014.
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@A. Khan Name any team who has won outside of their home condition? maybe beside South Africa. India usually wins in India, So does England and Australia. And now when Pakistan did, you have started to criticize them! Name other teams that have won test series away from home in recent time!
Unbelievable achievement. Almost feel like the matches were fixed and Australians were paid to restore the pride of Pakistan cricket. It is once again proved that the debacle in Pakistan's past performance was more related to commitment than capacity.
Home series always favor the home side, them being familiar with the conditions. UAE is quite similar to Pakistan but with more modern facilities. However it is winning away from home that really sets a team apart. How many series has Pakistan won in Australia?