On This Day: January 29, 2006 - Kamran Akmal scores a hundred to save Pakistan against India at NSK

[Sakss]

On This Day January 28th, 2006: Pakistan played India at Karachi in a Test match and beat them by 341 runs to win the series 1-0. Kamran saved Pakistan from embarrassment by scoring a magnificent hundred.

Pakistan batting first were in deep trouble after losing their first 3 wickets for no runs on the board and further falling to 6-39 when Kamran Akmal rescued the team with a brilliant century to get the team to a respectable 245.

Brilliant bowling from M Asif meant India were also kept to a low score . Pakistan in the second innings did not make any mistake and amassed 599-7 dec giving India an impossible target of 607 to chase. Mohammad Asif and Razzak again cleaned up the Indian team and giving Pakistan a comprehensive victory by 341 runs and the series 1-0.

Here is the scorecard of the match:
http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/234783.html

 

[90MPH]

Whatever people say about Kamran that was one of the greatest hundreds for Pakistan.

Pakistan were 0/3 then 39/6 on a seaming track. It was a sublime knock when it was desperately needed.

 

[Extreme Pace]

The greatest Inngs I have ever seen in my life.

 

[Savak]

No doubt. This was perhaps the best knock I have seen by a Pak batsmen under not only extreme pressure but also in difficult seaming conditions.

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[Bilal7]

What a phainty for the Indians in the second innings. Why were Laxman and Dravid opening for India? To play out the new ball or what?

 

[pakistani pride]

Could have achieved so much more as a batsmen.
In that period he was a delight to watch.

 

[Gigii]

The thing with Kamran was that that innings wasn't a fluke.

 

[IMMY69]

On This Day January 29th, 2006: Kamran Akmal scores a Hundred to save Pakistan

and look who was captaining our side!!

 

[SOSami]

Pakistan's best Test victory in the period I've been watching them.

39/6 to a massive victory.

Classic Pakistan: anything can happen.

 

[Anfield]

Anyone has highlights of this match? I have been trying for a while never found good highlights.

 

[Bilal7]

Pakistan's best Test victory in the period I've been watching them.

39/6 to a massive victory.

Classic Pakistan: anything can happen.

Better than their most recent?

 

[Haz95]

I wasn't really interested in Cricket then. Can someone tell me how Karachi is a seaming tracck?

 

[Savak]

We messed things up badly by being humiliated so badly in the odis that followed. Our bowlers had absolutely no answers to the Indian batting

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[Bilal7]

We messed things up badly by being humiliated so badly in the odis that followed. Our bowlers had absolutely no answers to the Indian batting

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A test series victory eclipses that.

 

[London_Lahori]

Great game, great innings and great result!

I can never find decent length videos of this innings or of this match, save for the second Indian innings.

 

[Shoaib Akhtar's Fan]

I watched this game at NSK all four days with my buddies , as a teenager.

I remember some of the people in the crowd were actually happy at the loss of early wickets because they wanted to Afridi bat. And once Afridi got out, quite a few people actually left the stadium. But what an innings it was. Akmal was our golden boy at the time. Brilliant with the gloves and was developing quite a knack of playing such knocks at crucial moments. A month prior to this game, he had scored a brilliant hundred in an ODI against England at the same ground, which again I was lucky witness live at NSK.

 

[Shoaib Akhtar's Fan]

A test series victory eclipses that.

I definitely agree. Winning that series was a special series and we on quite a streak that led us to becoming the no. 2 ranked side in Test Cricket. We had defeated Eng 2-0 prior to this series and then went to defeat the Lankans in their own backyard after this series. Everything was going great until THAT series against England.

 

[90MPH]

A test series victory eclipses that.

By a long way.

Test series you get cake.

An ODI series while nice to win is just the icing. Good for revenue and TV Money.

It's actually quite sad how few value the Test game these days in the subcontinent over say meaningless T20 matches.

 

[Mohsin]

0-3...39-6...341 run victory

Only Pakistan could ever do something like that!

 

[Ismailtoca]

I rmbr waking up late at night for that innings. Masterclass!

 

[Big Mac]

Whatever people say about Kamran that was one of the greatest hundreds for Pakistan.

One of the greatest innings for any nation. I watched every ball of this test and as a result I don't care how many times Karmran drops the ball, I can never bring myself to dislike him as much as most PPers.

 

[Zeshan547]

If kamran was to be just a decent wicket keeper he would be next big thing in cricket, another example of extreme talent which never fulfilled the promise shown

 

[Mamoon]

The greatest innings by a Pakistan WK in Test cricket by a country mile.

A beast of an innings and I agree with Big Mac, regardless of how many catches he has dropped, I rate him and I want him in the team.

He has done some special things wearing the Pakistani shirt.

 

[Major]

That one innings by Kamran Akmal cost Pakistan alot in the coming years. Just because of that one performance Kamran Akmal kept on getting more chances under the excuse of that we dont have any keeper who could bat.......... This guy destroyed the career of Danish Kaneria, and we went on to lose the sydney test and many more games because of his keeping...

One would say that what does his keeping have to do with his batting in this match, it was this match that kept Kamran Akmal in the team under the banner of Wicket keeper batsmen.

 

[Big Mac]

That one innings by Kamran Akmal cost Pakistan alot in the coming years. Just because of that one performance Kamran Akmal kept on getting more chances under the excuse of that we dont have any keeper who could bat.......... This guy destroyed the career of Danish Kaneria, and we went on to lose the sydney test and many more games because of his keeping...

He had a part to play in Kaneria's career not hitting the heights it should have and he definitely had a big part to play in Sydney but it's disingenuous to act like he was the only reason.

Kaneria was hurt just as much, if not more by Pakistan never having our first choice pace attack play together for a single test and captains that didn't know how to use him so he was asked to function as a workhorse bowler who had to keep things tight which was a role he was just not suited to do.

As for Sydney, even with Kamran fumbling every chance that came his way we would have won it if MoYo wasn't such a bumbling idiot in the field and if MoYo and Misbah hadn't decided to give catching practice off Hauritz's bowling.

 

[Indiana Jones]

And it started the kamran legacy for the next 7 years resulting in heavy losses for Pakistan.

 

[Adil_94]

On This Day January 29th, 2006: Kamran Akmal scores a Hundred to save Pakistan

That was a great innings one of the best I've seen but people shouldn't let nostalgia cloud their minds Kami after that never kicked on and improved his batting he had the talent but got lazy and his Keeping declined dramatically he did cost us Sydney despite Moyos pathetic captaincy Kami dropped Hussey 3 times he shouldn't be recalled we may as well recall Yousuf for his 2006 heroics then

 

[tahir_dj]

Please dont forget Abdul razzaq contribution too

 

[Sakss]

One of the best Test innings from a Pakistan keeper. Saved Pakistan from embarrassment and then winning by a massive margin . To top it up Razzak and Asif with the ball. Awesome.

 

[saiyan0312]

Awesome innings from him. It was wonderful. Still remember that six by akhtar. Have no idea what happened to him after that. Became extremely inconsistent.

 

[Major]

He had a part to play in Kaneria's career not hitting the heights it should have and he definitely had a big part to play in Sydney but it's disingenuous to act like he was the only reason.

Kaneria was hurt just as much, if not more by Pakistan never having our first choice pace attack play together for a single test and captains that didn't know how to use him so he was asked to function as a workhorse bowler who had to keep things tight which was a role he was just not suited to do.

As for Sydney, even with Kamran fumbling every chance that came his way we would have won it if MoYo wasn't such a bumbling idiot in the field and if MoYo and Misbah hadn't decided to give catching practice off Hauritz's bowling.

I think he dropped about 3-4 catches of hussey

funny thing about the whole event was that the usual SOS call was given to Sarfraz Ahmed, then after a gap of few months Kamran Akmal came back into the team as the vice captain.

 

[Fahdi]

One of the best innings by a wicketkeeper ever. It was a brilliant victory. I remember that I had lost all hope of victory after that over from Irfan and then Kami just played a gem. Take a bow Kamran Akmal take a bow.

Just so you know i still hate that man's guts for his wonders behind the stumps.

 

[Wattoo]

One of the greatest innings of Pakistan test cricket. None of Pakistani WKs had played such a innings in their whole career.

 

[The Muppets XI]

2006!! Eight years ago. A lot of better international careers last less. KAkmal can still get selected based on this innings.

 

[Savak]

2006!! Eight years ago. A lot of better international careers last less. KAkmal can still get selected based on this innings.

Who is calling for his selection? We are giving credit where it is due. That was possibly the best innings i have ever seen by a Pakistani batsman not just because of the quality but also the situation and the seaming conditions. Of course based on present form he doesn't deserve to play for Pakistan again.

 

[Smbhayi]

If kamran was to be just a decent wicket keeper he would be next big thing in cricket, another example of extreme talent which never fulfilled the promise shown

he's brilliant with gloves that time.. and mention him as future great...
anyway still he's the WK batsmen pak ever produced...

 

[Moosa]

On this day 8 years ago Irfan Pathan rocked Pakistan

On this day on 29th Jan 2006, Irfan Pathan took a Hat trick against pakistan on a green surface at Karachi

0.1Pathan to Salman Butt, no run, just short of a good length and on the middle and leg, a bit of swing away from the left-handed Butt, defended awkwardly, the ball loops back down the pitch off the edge.

0.2Pathan to Salman Butt, no run, short of a good length and far outside the off stump, left well alone to the keeper, a bit of swing there.

0.3 Pathan to Salman Butt, no run, and another one short of a length and outside the off swinging away appreciably, left well alone by Butt.

India attacking with three slips and a gully.

0.4 Pathan to Salman Butt, OUT: fuller this time and on the off, the ball swings late and Butt plays at it tentatively. The ball takes the edge and goes towards slip. Rahul Dravid dives low and takes a sharp catch!

India have got off to the best possible start! Pakistan have lost their first wicket without a single run on the board! Rahul Dravid will already be breathing easier about his decision to field first. That is a great start for India in this decisive Test match. Younis Khan is the new batsman.

0.5Pathan to Younis Khan, OUT: full and on the stumps, this one swings in very late, that is a perfectly pitched delivery and it nails Younis lbw right in front of the stumps! India are on fire!

Pakistan in dire straits here at two wickets down without a run on the board. What a start for the Indian team and Irfan Pathan, who is on a hat-trick! Just a bit more for the bowlers and what a difference it makes! Mohammad Yousuf is facing the hat-trick ball. Three slips and two gullies in place

0.6 Pathan to Mohammad Yousuf, OUT: Got him! Sensational stuff at the National Stadium! Mohammad Yousuf bowled through the gate by a pearl of an inswinger! That one came in superbly after pitching outside off stump and shattered the stumps!

 

[mithun_minhas]

Didn't we lose this test match?

 

[steelo green]

Pakistan won though lol, I won't forget that match ever.

 

[MRSN]

he's brilliant with gloves that time.. and mention him as future great...
anyway still he's the WK batsmen pak ever produced...

as much as this is hard for some people to digest but this is very true.

 

[DrSchultz]

I was watching live and I thought Irfan was going to be a future ATG.

 

[Kianig89]

Ya it was like a storm in a tea cup ) Pakistan inflicted a hammering later on

 

[Moosa]

I was watching live and I thought Irfan was going to be a future ATG.

He was a great bowler back then, specially after spending time with Wasim in Australia tour 2004. Wasim hand picked him as a future ATG.

But he started to trundle after that and Injuries didn't help him either.

 

[amax]

If I am not wrong he is only left arm spinner with a test hat trick, so quite an achievement.

 

[Savak]

He had the best seaming conditions, when you have a hell of a green top then even 73-75 mph becomes hard to deal with. He became easier to deal with as the pitch gradually eased.

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[Gigii]

he's brilliant with gloves that time.. and mention him as future great...
anyway still he's the WK batsmen pak ever produced...

That was completely true, his batting was just an asset to his WK skills. He still does take very good catches, I remember one to dismiss Kohli down the leg side in 2012.

 

[steelo green]

If I am not wrong he is only left arm spinner with a test hat trick, so quite an achievement.

Spinner?

 

[prayas]

If I am not wrong he is only left arm spinner with a test hat trick, so quite an achievement.

R u joking he is fast bowler his brother is spinner

 

[Stewie]

Spinner?

Sarcasm....

 

[DrSchultz]

R u joking he is fast bowler his brother is spinner

Shoaib Akhtar called him a spinner.

 

[shakil]

If I am not wrong he is only left arm spinner with a test hat trick, so quite an achievement.

Johnny Briggs achieved one in 1892 and Lindsay Kline in 1957.

No hatricks for left arm medium pacers though before Pathan achieved it.

 

[Moosa]

If I am not wrong he is only left arm spinner with a test hat trick, so quite an achievement.

Bhai the match was in Karachi and you based in Lahore. By the time you were watching it, the pace might have slowed up. But he was quick back then.

 

[steelo green]

Sarcasm....

If it is some reference to something else, I have never heard of it, so doesn't look like sarcasm.

 

[Saurav]

If I am not wrong he is only left arm spinner with a test hat trick, so quite an achievement.

no Akram took quiet a few

 

[Haz95]

Sarfraz did a mini version in his last outing I guess.

 

[CricVet]

The ball was swinging massively that morning. When it all eased out in the 2nd inning, the guy got ONE wicket in 2nd inning for over 100 runs.

 

[Adil_94]

On this day 8 years ago Irfan Pathan rocked Pakistan

Spinner?

If you watch the vid on YouTube his speed is in the high 120Ks trundler speed

 

[Runner Up]

I went to stadium last day of the match. Entry was free but it was house full so police didn't allow me to go inside. Then I gave 100 rupees bribe to a Police Wala who let me in what a match it was.

 

[justarslan]

On this day on 29th Jan 2006, Irfan Pathan took a Hat trick against pakistan on a green surface at Karachi

We still won the match and series too.

 

[justarslan]

If I am not wrong he is only left arm spinner with a test hat trick, so quite an achievement.

Good one.

 

[Smbhayi]

Kamran Akmal saved Pak lives there...

 

[ventrical]

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/234783.html

 

[Abdullah719]

What a knock it was

 

[msb314]

What a knock it was

Agree!

It was a borderline ATG knock!

One thing Kammy did better than his brother was to perform when the pressure was really on - he was our ultimate clutch player from 2005-2009.

 

[GLORY OF '92]

Best Knock by a Pakistani in the past 20 years for sure.

Just sad what has happened to Kami since.

One of my favourite matches.

 

[Hasan123]

One of his best knocks for Pakistan.

 

[WhenSultansBowled]

For me the highlight of the game is Asif vs Indian batsmen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvIPxCYRzbE

One of the greatest swing bowling spells ever in SC. On the other side was Shoaib bowling 90mph+.

 

[Abdullah719]

Great innings.

 

[Hasan123]

I can remember waking up to the score and thought our hopes were over. But Kami played the knock of his life.

 

[Bewal Express]

One of the great innings played by PK anywhere.

 

[Hyperion66]

One of the finest I have ever seen.

 

[Hyperion66]

For me the highlight of the game is Asif vs Indian batsmen.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZvIPxCYRzbE

One of the greatest swing bowling spells ever in SC. On the other side was Shoaib bowling 90mph+.

True, still remember every bits of that match, ATG bowling spell, ATG batting from Kami. I was heartbroken to see us losing that match by this humongous margin even after such amazing start.

 

[Amjid Javed]

What a knock under pressure and one of best ever by a pakistani in tricky conditions and game situations.

You would never see anything like that from sarfraz

 

[Forum363]

The most overrated innings by Pakistan batmasn in their history of olaying cricket. I have posted about this many times, but no one has been able to give me a compelling reason why it was such a great innings.

The fact that the top order failed is not a sole reason for an innings being great.

 

[jnaveen1980]

The most overrated innings by Pakistan batmasn in their history of olaying cricket. I have posted about this many times, but no one has been able to give me a compelling reason why it was such a great innings.

The fact that the top order failed is not a sole reason for an innings being great.

Irfan pathan can be handy when the ball swings. If it doesn't he is an absolute pie chucker.

 

[CricketDon]

One of the finest test innings ever and the greatest from a Pakistani and amongst the greatest from a wicket keeper batsman.

I want him to replace sarfraz!

 

[Forum363]

Irfan pathan can be handy when the ball swings. If it doesn't he is an absolute pie chucker.

The new ball swung for a while, but after it got older, this was an incredibly flat pitch to bat on. The average innings score was almost 350 at comfortably over 4 runs an over. It was a match, where the top order of quality players like yusuf, younis, tendulker, laxman, dravid were out scored by the likes of Kamran, Faisal Iqbal, Afridi, yuvraj even irfan pathan and shoaib akhtar played decent cameos.

By the sheer number of runs, the rate at which they were scored and the players who scored them, it is obvious the pitch became very easy to bat on once the ball got older.

Kamran played very well I accept, to come in during a pressure situation, but to call that an all time great innings etc is just ridiculously.

Please can someone explain the rationale.

 

[the_game]

The greatest innings by a Pakistan WK in Test cricket by a country mile.

A beast of an innings and I agree with Big Mac, regardless of how many catches he has dropped, I rate him and I want him in the team.

He has done some special things wearing the Pakistani shirt.

Think you might have been in your diapers when Moin came in at 26 for 6 against India at a packed Calcutta stadium in 1999 and scored a 70 odd (Pakistan won the match). Kamrans inning was great, but nothing can beat the above.

 

[Suleiman]

A Pakistani great whether people like it or not. No current WK could play an inning like that today.

 

[IAJ]

Loved those days, I used to go home during the long breaks between classes at Uni and had mum’s parathas with sarsoon ka saag and watched a session of cricket. Just lovely.