*******************************************
Just posted this elsewhere on the forum. Re-submitting here for a wider audience. My apologies if it violates the protocol.
*******************************************
What an amazing inning from Inzamam ... he fought like a true warrior, and helped put Pakistan in a virtually match-winning position.
Following him through the innings, I was reminded of another wonderful player, who used to marvel at playing with the tail. Asif Iqbal. I don't have direct memories of this particular game, but read about it in detail.
It was 1976-77. Australia was the best team in the world, having recently destroyed the second best (West Indies) by 5-1. And in came Pakistan to play three tests. In their last encounter with Australia, Pakistan had lost 3-0 to Ian Chappell's team.
In the first game at Adeliade, Pakistan scored 272, Australia responded with 454. (Facts are from my memory; the scores, courtesy Cricinfo!). In their second outing, Pakistan were 379-9 ... 207 ahead, and more than enough time for Aussies to complete the chase. Out comes the debutant Iqbal Wasim to join Asif Iqbal. What happened next was nothing short of a miracle. Against one of the best bowling lineup, these two batted for 96 minutes, and scored 87 runs, before Iqbal ran himself out. His contribution: 4 runs. This partnership succeeded in saving the game for Pakistan ... Australia had to chase 285, and were 261-6 at close.
And so, when Pakistan next visited Australia, in 1979-80, the dust had hardly settled after a 5-1 drubbing the Aussies had received from England. Plus, they were without their Packer players. Still, there was no way they were willing to lose to this team from the Sub-continent.
They were in an perfect position to win the first test in Melbourse. Chasing 382 to win the game, they were 305-3. And then came a collapse that will go in the history as one of the most remarkable ones. Sarfaraz Nawaz ran through their lineup, claiming 7 wickets in 33 deliveries, conceding a single run. They were 310 all out, and lost the game.
In the 2nd test, Australia had a good lead in the first inning, and had Pakistan on their knees in their second outing. But their chief tormentor, Asif, was there, with a century against his name, but was losing partners very quickly. When the last man, Sikander Bakht, joined him, the memories of Adeliade ('76-77) must've been fresh in their minds. Time was of the essence here too ... after 37 minutes of last minute partnership, Pakistan was 250 ahead, but time was running out. Sikander had faced a total of three deliveries, and Asif was not giving them any opportunity to have a go at the tail-ender. So, Alan Hurst decided to take the matter in his own hands, and off the 7th delivery of an over (8-ball overs in those days), when Sikander was getting ready to respond to the call for a single, Hurst "Mankaded" him (ran him out at the non-striker's end without bowling). The umpire had no option but to give him out, and Asif, in a rare case of displaying his anger, broke the stumps with his bat.
Pakistan went on to lose the game.
Just wanted to share these memories ... Inzi's knock brought 'em back.
Comments???
