[VIDEOS] Best ever Test matches between England and Pakistan?

[Amjid Javed]

Your Favourite Pakistan V England Test match

Next month Pakistan and england will lock horns again in a test match series an down the years there have been some pretty good and exciting Test matches between the two sides. But as a cricket fan what single test match between the side stands out for you in terms of good Memories. For me it has to bethe 2nd test at old Trafford in 2001, Pakistan 1-0 down after a pretty poor showing at lords where they were beaten by an Inns the teams moved onto old trafford for the conclusion of a short test series. I remember Inzamam scoring a majestic 100 in the 1st inns to get pakistan up to 400, England in reply were 282/2 in reply and looking like they could go onto score 500-600 but pakistan as they had done down the years ran the the england line up like a hot knife through butter to skittle england out for 357. Pakistan then batted well in the 2nd inns to set england a total of 370, England at end of day 4 were 80/0 and all 3 results were possible, I managed to get a cheap ticket on the final day for £15 and when england were 200/2 mid way through the final day a draw or an england win looked likely, the atmosphere in ground though started to build and the game felt like it was being played in Lahore/karachi rather then Manchester with the number of fans shouting for pakistan and horns blurring away, As soon as a vital break through was made pakistan scented blood like a shark and once again a super-england collapse was caused with pakistan won the game. I remember leaving the ground very happy thinking this was once of best pakistans wins over england i had ever seen.

So whats everyone elses favourite Pakistan v england test match and why?

 

[Stallion__]

3rd test of 2005 series (Lahore test) and 2nd test of 2012 series (Abu Dhabi test).

Both involved epic England collapses in 4th innings from situation of unlikely victory for Pakistan.

 

[Markhor]

Multan 2005 was something special. Shoaib Akhtar at his best, not just besting the batsmen with raw pace but guile and ingenuity, he developed a lethal slower ball and we won by 22 runs defending 190 odd.

 

[umarf76]

1982 Lords is first
1987 Edgbaston
1992 Lords and that partnership between wasim and waqar
2005 Multan

 

[ExplicitAI]

The 2nd Test in the Ajmal series.

 

[Robert]

Next month Pakistan and england will lock horns again in a test match series an down the years there have been some pretty good and exciting Test matches between the two sides. But as a cricket fan what single test match between the side stands out for you in terms of good Memories. For me it has to bethe 2nd test at old Trafford in 2001,

Wasn't that the one where Pakistan took three wickets with three no-balls at the end? Poor old umpire Shepherd nearly retired, thinking that his eyes or his judgement had failed.

My memories of Anglo-Pakistan matches are that there was usually a really horrible angry atmosphere for some reason or other. Bad umpiring, mass horn-blowing, the NF starting crowd violence, pitch invasions, accusations of racism and cheating flying around.

If I had to pick one I would say Edgbaston in 1987 where the match built to an exciting climax, as Imran and Wasim bowled unchanged while England chased a small total with the Pakistani fielders throwing themselves about like maniacs.

 

[Amjid Javed]

1982 Lords is first
1987 Edgbaston
1992 Lords and that partnership between wasim and waqar
2005 Multan

The Lords test was a special one as it was good to see W&W win us a test with the bat as they won so many of them for us with the ball.

 

[Robert]

1992 Lords and that partnership between wasim and waqar

Oh yes, that was a good one, when Stewart carried his bat.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Wasn't that the one where Pakistan took three wickets with three no-balls at the end? Poor old umpire Shepherd nearly retired, thinking that his eyes or his judgement had failed.

My memories of Anglo-Pakistan matches are that there was usually a really horrible angry atmosphere for some reason or other. Bad umpiring, mass horn-blowing, the NF starting crowd violence, pitch invasions, accusations of racism and cheating flying around.

If I had to pick one I would say Edgbaston in 1987 where the match built to an exciting climax, as Imran and Wasim bowled unchanged while England chased a small total with the Pakistani fielders throwing themselves about like maniacs.

Yes Rob, this was the match where quite a few No balls were missed, not that myself or any other pakistan fans would be complaining it was just enjoyable to see england collapse in both inns in strong positions. Also Inzis hundred in 1st inns was one of the best inns ive seen in a test match as well.

The 1987 series was the 1st time i ever got taken to a game of cricket and remember pakistan scoring 700 at the oval to earn a draw and a 1st series win in england.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Oh yes, that was a good one, when Stewart carried his bat.

Those were the days when englands tail started at number 4

 

[Robert]

The 1987 series was the 1st time i ever got taken to a game of cricket and remember pakistan scoring 700 at the oval to earn a draw and a 1st series win in england.

It was not a strong England side. No Gooch who had lost confidence and withdrawb from selection. Athey who went on to cost us the WC final.

That was the match where Foster broke down on the first morning, Dilley picked up an injury and could only bowl medium-pace, Botham was a military medium tub of lard and Emburey and Edmonds were past their sell-by date too. England were forced to follow on, but Gatting ad Botham batted for the whole of the final day with Gatting ending on 150 and Botham blocking like Boycott for just 50.

 

[11ShadyBrothers]

Wasn't that the one where Pakistan took three wickets with three no-balls at the end? Poor old umpire Shepherd nearly retired, thinking that his eyes or his judgement had failed.

My memories of Anglo-Pakistan matches are that there was usually a really horrible angry atmosphere for some reason or other. Bad umpiring, mass horn-blowing, the NF starting crowd violence, pitch invasions, accusations of racism and cheating flying around.

If I had to pick one I would say Edgbaston in 1987 where the match built to an exciting climax, as Imran and Wasim bowled unchanged while England chased a small total with the Pakistani fielders throwing themselves about like maniacs.

Yeah, adding to that whenever our players visit the UK for the series. They always get caught up in some mess.

 

[Slog]

Multan 2005 and Dubai 2012

 

[the Great Khan]

ohh good question: got to be multan 2005, old trafford 2001 and lords 1992. special mention for the 1987 series when qadir got 10 wickets too..in the first test...

Gooch was my fav england player..i copied his batting stance when i was a kid and it helped me get better at batting..

that old trafford match and waqar's ball to thorpe was classic!! I sensed the collapse coming what emotion!!

92 series was the best for me..such swagger and great bowling from the W's..

 

[tempus123]

I think this match and series was good.. England beat Pakistan in their own den after 40 years taking the series.

They lagged behind in the first innings and still won by bowling Pakistan out cheaply in the second, despite Moin's delaying cheap tactics.. England won.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63901.html

 

[Bullet Drive]

2nd test 2012.

#boom

 

[OS_89]

I think this match and series was good.. England beat Pakistan in their own den after 40 years taking the series.

They lagged behind in the first innings and still won by bowling Pakistan out cheaply in the second, despite Moin's delaying cheap tactics.. England won.

http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63901.html

That was a great test. Finished in total darkness as well. Very memorable.

 

[tempus123]

That was a great test. Finished in total darkness as well. Very memorable.

Yes, Moin tried cheap delaying tactics but they didn't work.. umpires didn't allow that.

 

[OS_89]

Yes, Moin tried cheap delaying tactics but they didn't work.. umpires didn't allow that.

Yeah, one of the rare occasions Bucknor got a big important decision spot on.

 

[tempus123]

[MENTION=137842]OS_89[/MENTION], you know a lot about cricket.. you joined PP recently, since when you were following cricket ?

 

[Slog]

Yes, Moin tried cheap delaying tactics but they didn't work.. umpires didn't allow that.

That was a hurtful loss even though I was only nine.

This was the first Test match Pakistan ever lost in the National Stadium Karachi.

What a record that was though. Unbeaten in the city for 46 Years.

It was understandable why Moin employed those tactics. He is a Karachi guy and probably didn't want to be the first Pakistan captain to lose in the city and forever have that associated with him

 

[Slog]

Yeah, one of the rare occasions Bucknor got a big important decision spot on.

Bucknor was overall a top class umpire and is regarded so despite one country being epic whingers

 

[tempus123]

Bucknor was overall a top class umpire and is regarded so despite one country being epic whingers

No.. I think Bucknor declined a lot and was way beyond horrible in Syndeny Test 2008. The epic whingers were justified in complaining. But the loss of Sydney Test was India's own fault.. they couldn't save it but were trying to hide the inability of their batting to save the Test.

 

[OS_89]

[MENTION=137842]OS_89[/MENTION], you know a lot about cricket.. you joined PP recently, since when you were following cricket ?

Have watched cricket since 1981. I was living in Melbourne with my father back then. First match I ever watched live was the 1981 Aus vs WI MCG test as a 7 year old. Day 1 remains to this day the single most amazing single day of cricket I have ever seen. I have Kim Hughes's shots that day against that amazing WI attack etched in my memory. Hughes' hundred, the bowling of the WI bowlers, and then Lillee getting Viv out off the last ball of the day... it was all just incredible. the atmosphere at the ground was astonishing.

I have been in India since 1995 and have been fortunate enough to live in Chennai, mainly because the ground has a knack for producing great test matches. Watched 1998 test vs Aus, 1999 test vs Pak, 2001 vs Australia where we won by 2 wickets, and more.

And I'm a complete test match snob. Like ODIs as well, but completely hate t20. Donot see the appeal at all. Call me old fashioned, but nothing comes close to a day of top class test cricket. Nothing.

 

[OS_89]

Bucknor was overall a top class umpire and is regarded so despite one country being epic whingers

He just wasn't. Sorry. It's not just Indians, the number of horrible decisions Bucknor made against Australia is infamous... most Aussies hate him.

Ask robelinda, he must have tons of footage of terrible Bucknor howlers.

 

[tempus123]

Watched 1998 test vs Aus, 1999 test vs Pak, 2001 vs Australia where we won by 2 wickets, and more.
.

Didn't see you there, which row you sat ?

 

[Wasim_Waqar]

Lord's 1992. Some of the best bowling I've ever seen.

Headingley 92; I still think had the umpiring been any good, we would've bowled them out for less than 99.

I stick by my statement that the Pakistan 1992 test team is one of the greatest to have ever played the game: Miandad, Malik, Wasim, Waqar, Mushtaq and an up and coming Aamir.

 

[Harsh Thakor]

To me the best ever test match between England and Pakistan was the Leeds test played in 1982.It had the twists and turns of an epic novel or a Hollywood thriller with the pendulum swinging in every juncture of the game.I have rarely sen a game with such fluctuating fortunes til the every end.Both teams came back spectacularly from the depths of despair to rise like a phoenix from the Ashes putting the spectators on the ege of their seats.After being dismissed for 275 Pakistan had England reeling at 89-4 and170-7 before the tail wagged and David Gower took the score 19 runs adrift of the Pakistan total .After losing 2 early wickets Pakistan consolidated themselvse into a strong position before a middle order collapse took them from 100-2 to 128-7.In the end the brilliance of Imran rallied Pakistan to a total of 199 and set England a target of 219 runs to win.At 168-1 an English Victor was a mere walk in the park before Pakistan came back with a spectacular resurgence to capture 5 Englsih wickets before the close of play.One wa srreminded of a sudden reversal of plot in an epic film or a storm suddenly interrupting the hottest of days.On the final day England prevailed by a margin of 3 wickets.Bad umpiring decision cost Pakistan a famous win ansd a series victory.Imran overshadowed Botham in this game and his alll-round performance of scoring 75 n.o and 46 and capture 5-49 and 3-66 was simply phenomenal David Gower being declared not out when only 7 who went on to score 75 in the 1st inninsg and Sikander Bhakt being wrongly declared caught at short leg in the 2nd had an important bearing on the result.


My 12 best England-Pakistan tests in order of merit.

1.1982 at Leeds
2.2005 at Multan
3.1971 at Leeds
4.1954 at Oval
5.1987 at Edgbaston
6.1982 at Edgbaston
7.2015 at Abu Dhabi
8.1992 at Lords
9.1984 in Karachi
10.1982 at Lords
11.1974 at Leeds
12.2000 in Karachi


I have already discussed the 1982 Leeds game.In 1971 England won a thriller by 25 runs setting Pakistan a target of 231 .Pakistan were coasting home at 160-4 before a dramatic twist and turn .In 1954 the magnificient exploits of Fazal Mahmood enabled Pakistan to clinch a thrilling win by 24 runs in an all-time thriller.In 1992 at Lords chasing a mere 153 runs to win Pakistan were in dire straits at 98-8 before a 55 run partnership between Wasim Akram and Waqar Younus took them home.At Edgbaston in 1992 England almost won game after Pakistan scored 429 in the 1st innings.Replying with 509 England had Pakistan on the ropes in the 2nd innings but in the end fell short of the target in the run chase and settled for a draw.At Leeds in 1974 in a drawn game Pakistan were in the end 38 runs ahead with 4 English wickets left.Play was washed out on the final day with both team having equal chance of wining.Pakistan collapsed in the 2nd innings after attaining a handy 2nd innings lead.1982 at Edgbaston had a series of sensational twists and turns but the determining factor was the last wicket stand of Bob Taylor and Willis of 79 in the England 2nd innings after England were in a precarious position just 232 ahead.Still morally a hard fought game.In 2005 Pakistan snatched victory from England after being on the verge of a probable defeat.In 1984 in Karachi chasing a target of a mere 63 runs to win Pakistan got home by just 3 wickets which was truly sensational. In 1982 at Lords Pakistan won by a huge margin but it was touch and go whether they would have time to bat with only around 20 overs to go on the last day.In United Arab Emirates in 2015 England all but won game where both teams scored heavily in the 1st innings and England precipitated a Pakistan collapse at the fag end of the game .In 2000 the final test at Karachi seemed heading towards an inevitable draw before England pulled of a Houdini act to win the game.

 

[ManFan]

From the ones that I watched...

Pretty much the last three series between the two has had great contests except Old Trafford 2016 and Leeds 2018.

 

[msb314]

Although most neutrals prefer the Multan Test of 2005 due to the thrill of defending a low score by Pakistan and England's unlikely defeat after posting 400+ in the first innings - I personally enjoyed watching the Lahore Test of 2005 more!

The way Kamran and MoYo batted that game was poetry in motion England had a sniff when Pakistan were 200/5 at some stage with Inzy retired hurt but those two just blew the opposition away and there was no coming back for England. Satisfyingly - had an innings victory!

 

[James]

Multan - two quality teams that were all over each other for five thrilling days, and in the end Pakistan squeezed over the line in a brilliant atmosphere. The batting from Salman, Inzy and Trescothick was world class, as was the bowling from Akhtar, Kaneria and Flintoff. This match ebbed and flowed like few that I can remember.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Let's relive that unforgettable day at the Home of Cricket and celebrate the genius of Wasim and Waqar! They inspired a generation of cricketers and fans alike, and their legacy continues to inspire us today.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1804073219562889541

 

[Sher Khan]

Let's relive that unforgettable day at the Home of Cricket and celebrate the genius of Wasim and Waqar! They inspired a generation of cricketers and fans alike, and their legacy continues to inspire us today.

https://twitter.com/x/status/1804073219562889541

What an era that was with the 2 W's storming in ball after ball and the great Nawaz Sharif in attendance.

 

[sam_ahm]

Despite the differences they never allowed that to impact the performance of the team. In fact I thought they competed so fiercely with each other that it benefitted the team as they kept raising the bar! And genuinely they admired each other and both knew how good the other one is and how important they both are for the team.