Which is Pakistan' best overseas performance in a drawn Test series?

[Heisenberg111]

So, I was thinking about Pakistan's performances in test series overseas. What are some of Pakistan's best performances away in a drawn series?

The following are the ones which come to mind.

1) 4 match series drawn (1-1) in England in 1954. Pakistan is the only team in history to draw their first ever series in England.

2) 3 match series drawn (1-1) in Australia in 1977. Australia was the no.1 team at that time, they had just trounced West Indies 5-1. Drawing with the no.1 team in their backyard was a good achievement.

3) 3 match series drawn (1-1) in the West Indies in 1988. Pakistan came close to winning in the Caribbean against the GOAT WI team but were robbed by some dodgy umpiring decisions.

4) 3 match series drawn (1-1) in South Africa in 1998. A great series between the world's most gifted side and the heroically resilient Proteas ended in a stalemate.

5) 4 match series drawn (2-2) in England in 2016. A great series between two evenly matched sides.

So which performance in these overseas drawn series is the best one? Kindly discuss. Am I missing some other series? Feel free to add any other series if you want to.

 

[Rana]

So, I was thinking about Pakistan's performances in test series overseas. What are some of Pakistan's best performances away in a drawn series?

The following are the ones which come to mind.

1) 4 match series drawn (1-1) in England in 1954. Pakistan is the only team in history to draw their first ever series in England.

2) 3 match series drawn (1-1) in Australia in 1977. Australia was the no.1 team at that time, they had just trounced West Indies 5-1. Drawing with the no.1 team in their backyard was a good achievement.

3) 3 match series drawn (1-1) in the West Indies in 1988. Pakistan came close to winning in the Caribbean against the GOAT WI team but were robbed by some dodgy umpiring decisions.

4) 3 match series drawn (1-1) in South Africa in 1998. A great series between the world's most gifted side and the heroically resilient Proteas ended in a stalemate.

5) 4 match series drawn (2-2) in England in 2016. A great series between two evenly matched sides.

So which performance in these overseas drawn series is the best one? Kindly discuss. Am I missing some other series? Feel free to add any other series if you want to.

I’ve only seen the 2016 series in this list, that was a phenomenal achievement tbh.

 

[Last Monetarist]

West Indies 1988, no contest.

 

[Heisenberg111]

[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] [MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] [MENTION=53290]Markhor[/MENTION] . What do you guys think ? How do you rank these performances?

 

[tyron_woodley]

West Indies 1988 wasn't a gOAT team at all. It was just starting post the qaurtlet retiring. Marshall was in his last legs.

Walsh and Ambrose were relatively new.

Batsmen mostly declining at the time.

Drawing vs Australia away in 1977 was probably the greatest achievement.

 

[Heisenberg111]

I’ve only seen the 2016 series in this list, that was a phenomenal achievement tbh.

Yes it was, would you like to add any other series ?

 

[Ab Fan]

1-1 in 1999 ( India)

That famous win in Chennai. All hail Saqlain, the master of doosra, teesra and chautha.

The only bowler to have performed against two of the strongest spin playing nation in 150 years of cricket history- India and Australia.

 

[Rana]

Yes it was, would you like to add any other series ?

I’ve been watching cricket properly since 2003 (when I was 13). From what I remember, our Away series draw to India 2005 was a brilliant achievement as well. Those were great times when India and Pakistan were playing regularly.

I was just going through the scorecards again. Turns out Pakistan played a magnificent 3rd Test with two ATG Test cricketers both scoring a double ton in the match (Younis Khan 267 and Sehwag 201) and eventually Pakistan won the game to level the series 1-1. That has to be a phenomenal achievement as well

 

[Rana]

I think another series that deserves a mention was the 2005 1-1 series draw in West Indies. I believe Inzimam produced one of his best Test knocks in the 3rd innings against Lara’s side in order to set up a very important win to draw the 2 match series.

Great days again, Brian Lara was at the prime of his career and was producing wonderful knocks. Chris Gayle is a highly underrated Test player, he gave up the format but back then I believe he loved this format dearly just like all true West Indian cricketers have loved it. Plus I remember in the first Test (which Pakistan lost) how Abdul Razzaq and Afridi actually put up a resilient fight before eventually Pakistan folded you defeat. Afridi also retired from Tests way too early. Loved his Test match batting the most

 

[tyron_woodley]

1-1 in 1999 ( India)

That famous win in Chennai. All hail Saqlain, the master of doosra, teesra and chautha.

The only bowler to have performed against two of the strongest spin playing nation in 150 years of cricket history- India and Australia.

Saqlain was tough to deal with. He was the real danger for Indian batsmen in odi and tests. He always made life difficult for Indian batsmen

 

[Ab Fan]

Saqlain was tough to deal with. He was the real danger for Indian batsmen in odi and tests. He always made life difficult for Indian batsmen

Australian batsman as well. He averages well against them also. Remember, both these teams had some of the finest players of spin bowling. Nowadays, Aussies are walking wickets against spin, basically HTBs like Warner, Burns and Voges.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Australian batsman as well. He averages well against them also. Remember, both these teams had some of the finest players of spin bowling. Nowadays, Aussies are walking wickets against spin, basically HTBs like Warner, Burns and Voges.

Except Smith. I have a very good feeling that our dear old friend labuschagne would get decimated in Asia, particularly in India vs jaddu Bhai and Ashwin.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Wasim never fazed me. Paksitanis batsmen like inzi and Yousuf never fazed me. But saqlian always scared me when he played India. Saqlain was a monster vs India in all formats. What a spinner he was.

Saqlain was better than Murali and Warne imo.

 

[Markhor]

West Indies 1988 wasn't a gOAT team at all.

A declining team that nobody else beat in a Test series for another 7 years after that.

 

[tyron_woodley]

A declining team that nobody else beat in a Test series for another 7 years after that.

True but at the time the batsmen except rcihardson were past their peaks. Marshall on his last legs at 41. This wasn't the GOAT team period.

gOAt was the one with the pace quartlet which everyone got hammered by.

So what if no one beat them for another 7 years. That was still one of their weaker sides compared to their actual GOAt team.

 

[Markhor]

[MENTION=79064]MMHS[/MENTION] [MENTION=132916]Junaids[/MENTION] [MENTION=53290]Markhor[/MENTION] . What do you guys think ? How do you rank these performances?

The 1-1 draw in West Indies is at the top of the list. Nobody beat West Indies in a single Test in the Caribbean, much less draw a series, in the 1980s. Pakistan only missed out due to partisan umpiring. If only that series was televised.

Next is drawing away in Australia in 1976/77 under Mushtaq Mohammad - the only PAK captain who can say he went toe to toe with the Aussies in their own backyard. Not Imran, not Wasim or anyone else can say that.

Thirdly is the 1-1 draw against India in 2005. Nobody, not even Pakistanis, gave us a chance when boarding the plane. To draw with such a weak bowling attack against an ATG batting lineup in their own backyard was unbelievable. We fought like hell to draw in Mohali, and showed huge character in Bangalore with so many wonderful performances to level the series after a disappointing defeat in the 2nd Test.

Shame there wasn't a fourth Test as I'd fancied our chances. I rate that higher than 1999 where we had a much stronger side but batted poorly, losing tamely in Delhi where we conceded all ten wickets to Kumble.

 

[szrana007]

1998, South Africa for me. That South African team under Cronje was a great side. Pity Match fixing ruined all his legacy.

 

[ishtiaq_ctg]

From what I've seen, 2005 drawn series against India ranks the highest. Pakistan for the first time in many many years started a test series against India as underdogs. In the first test they were clearly outplayed for the first 4 days but an amazing rearguard batting in the 5th day earned Pakistan a draw. Kamran Akmal scored one of the greatest ever test hundred by a Pakistani(he bettered it the following year!).
Calcutta test was very good with India deservedly the winners.
3rd test was a nailbiter with Pakistan winning the test with few odd overs remaining. Inzamam played probably the best in his life in that test. A flawless ton. Younis was amazing. Pakistan's spin trio of Kaneria, Arshad Khan & Afridi bowled brilliantly in the 5th day. To take 10 Indian wickets in India in two sessions was simply unbelievable considering India had a batting lineup of Shewag, Dravid, Sachin, Ganguly and VVS. One of the greatest test wins in Pakistani history.

 

[sharmaji]

I only watched the 2016 Test series, which was an incredible one, I didn't give Pakistan any chance before the series and to go ahead and draw the series was quite remarkable.

 

[Heisenberg111]

The 1-1 draw in West Indies is at the top of the list. Nobody beat West Indies in a single Test in the Caribbean, much less draw a series, in the 1980s. Pakistan only missed out due to partisan umpiring. If only that series was televised.

Next is drawing away in Australia in 1976/77 under Mushtaq Mohammad - the only PAK captain who can say he went toe to toe with the Aussies in their own backyard. Not Imran, not Wasim or anyone else can say that.

Thirdly is the 1-1 draw against India in 2005. Nobody, not even Pakistanis, gave us a chance when boarding the plane. To draw with such a weak bowling attack against an ATG batting lineup in their own backyard was unbelievable. We fought like hell to draw in Mohali, and showed huge character in Bangalore with so many wonderful performances to level the series after a disappointing defeat in the 2nd Test.

Shame there wasn't a fourth Test as I'd fancied our chances. I rate that higher than 1999 where we had a much stronger side but batted poorly, losing tamely in Delhi where we conceded all ten wickets to Kumble.

How do you rate Pakistan tour of England in 1954? given that Pakistan is the only team in history to draw their first ever series in England. Nobody else has done that.

 

[Junaids]

West Indies 1988, no contest.

Greatest ever performance by any Asian team, anywhere.

By a massive margin.

 

[Heisenberg111]

Greatest ever performance by any Asian team, anywhere.

By a massive margin.

Better than India's 2003 tour of Australia ?

 

[szrana007]

1998, South Africa for me. That South African team under Cronje was a great side. Pity Match fixing ruined all his legacy.

What Azhar Mahmood and Mushtaq Ahmed did in that series was legendary. Azhar Mahmood looked like he was the second coming of Don Bradman, pity it didn't last long.

 

[MMHS]

I am not sure which one to put as 1-2-3: 1954 ENG Series was probably the best performance by an emerging side inside their first decade and that was quite a strong English team. However, PAK was saved by a bit of rain as well and ENG rested Laker, Truman. Still, it was a fantastic achievement considering that in that decade Poms crashed other two emerging teams - IND & NZ.

1988 WIN draw was outstanding achievement as well, but it's also true the Test PAK won, Marshall & Viv were not playing and Grineedge was debuting as Captain. However, PAK was robbed by WIN Umpires in 3rd Test as well - with neutral umpire, it could have been 2-0.

I probably will go for the 1976-77 AUS series - that time Aussies were truly best side in world, almost unbeatable at home and some of their ATGs were at their peak .... and they had two Aussies in white coat as well. This was one series not spoiled by rain and PAK fought the drawn Test ball by ball.

Rest are good but, difficult to rate - I'll add IND 2005 as well in this list. ENG in 2015 comes as 4th because it was a 4 Test series and PAK actually came back to draw it. SAF 1998, had 3 Tests but one washed out and PAK won a Test without Wasim & Inzi (& thankfully Captain Latif, Amir led the team brilliantly), SAF crashed them badly in next Test.

So, this will be my order

1/2/3. AUS 1976-77, WIN 1988 & ENG 1954 (but not sure which order I should put)
4. ENG 2015
5. SAF 1998
6. IND 2005

 

[tyron_woodley]

Greatest ever performance by any Asian team, anywhere.

By a massive margin.

NhA India drawing away in Australia 2003 was greater.

Pakistan faced a weak version of West Indies GOAT side. Marshal 41 at the time. Green ridge and other batting greats were all 39 plus.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Actually 2018 winning in Australia is the greatest ever achievement by an Asian side ever. Ever.

We all think ahh yea no Smith and Warner. But I can say the same about 1988. Where was Andy Roberts? Marshall at his prime not the decrepit one? Holding? Garner?

Was it prime greenrirdge? Prime Hooper? Prime ViV? Who was 41 at the time.

 

[Heisenberg111]

I am not sure which one to put as 1-2-3: 1954 ENG Series was probably the best performance by an emerging side inside their first decade and that was quite a strong English team. However, PAK was saved by a bit of rain as well and ENG rested Laker, Truman. Still, it was a fantastic achievement considering that in that decade Poms crashed other two emerging teams - IND & NZ.

1988 WIN draw was outstanding achievement as well, but it's also true the Test PAK won, Marshall & Viv were not playing and Grineedge was debuting as Captain. However, PAK was robbed by WIN Umpires in 3rd Test as well - with neutral umpire, it could have been 2-0.

I probably will go for the 1976-77 AUS series - that time Aussies were truly best side in world, almost unbeatable at home and some of their ATGs were at their peak .... and they had two Aussies in white coat as well. This was one series not spoiled by rain and PAK fought the drawn Test ball by ball.

Rest are good but, difficult to rate - I'll add IND 2005 as well in this list. ENG in 2015 comes as 4th because it was a 4 Test series and PAK actually came back to draw it. SAF 1998, had 3 Tests but one washed out and PAK won a Test without Wasim & Inzi (& thankfully Captain Latif, Amir led the team brilliantly), SAF crashed them badly in next Test.

So, this will be my order

1/2/3. AUS 1976-77, WIN 1988 & ENG 1954 (but not sure which order I should put)
4. ENG 2015
5. SAF 1998
6. IND 2005

Yeah, India 2005 deserves a mention as well. Your ratings are perfect. Its very hard to chose between (1954 Eng , 1977 Aus and 1988 WI) but I would go Australia 1977 as well, only just.

 

[Abdullah Rabbani]

Actually 2018 winning in Australia is the greatest ever achievement by an Asian side ever. Ever.

We all think ahh yea no Smith and Warner. But I can say the same about 1988. Where was Andy Roberts? Marshall at his prime not the decrepit one? Holding? Garner?

Was it prime greenrirdge? Prime Hooper? Prime ViV? Who was 41 at the time.

No it's not even not better than Sri lankas whitewash against SA

 

[tyron_woodley]

No it's not even not better than Sri lankas whitewash against SA

It is and unfortunately that Sri Lanka whitewash was better than anything you guys have achieved overseas vs quality opposition.

India 2003 va Australia and 2018 is better than Pakistan's draw vs west Indies (weak version consisting of old batsmen and without the west Indian quartet minus old Marshall )

 

[Markhor]

NhA India drawing away in Australia 2003 was greater.

Pakistan faced a weak version of West Indies GOAT side. Marshal 41 at the time. Green ridge and other batting greats were all 39 plus.

Malcolm Marshall died aged 41. He was 30 years old in that Test series.

 

[tyron_woodley]

Malcolm Marshall died aged 41. He was 30 years old in that Test series.

Doesn't matter. Still wasn't the quartlet at their best and the batsmen were declining.

 

[Ab Fan]

Doesn't matter. Still wasn't the quartlet at their best and the batsmen were declining.

Marshall and Viv didn't played the test which Pakistan won. That test had

1)Curtly Ambrose debuting
2)Desmond Haynes
3)Grodon Greenidge batting at 4
4)Courtney Walsh was just an average bowler at that time

 

[Xoib]

NhA India drawing away in Australia 2003 was greater.

Pakistan faced a weak version of West Indies GOAT side. Marshal 41 at the time. Green ridge and other batting greats were all 39 plus.

There was no Warne or Mcgrath Gillispie was half fit played only 2 tests even Lee was not fully available through the series. In one of the tests the attack was
Bichel, Bracken, Brad William and Mcgill sums up the level of attack India faced.

 

[ChTab]

I started watching cricket regularly from 2004 & from that time onwards I think the best drawn series are following from best to worse.

1. Eng vs Pak 2016: 4 match series & we came extremely close to won that series, we probably bottled the 3rd test in 1 or 2 sessions otherwise we could've drawn that test. But it was a massive achievement to draw a series away.

2. Ind vs Pak 2005: 3 match series started that series in a bad way but escaped a defeat in Mohali because of Kamran Akmal & Razzaq but we bottled once again in Kolkata, in reply to 407 of India 1st inns at one stage Pakistan were 331/4 & but collapsed to 393 all out.
Pakistan did came back again brilliantly in last test at Bangalore to draw series 1-1. Younis Khan & Inzi were magnificent Inzi scored a century on his 100th test match if I'm not mistaken & Younis with a magnificent 267.

3. Eng vs Pak 2018: 2 match series it was probably a fluke that we won the 1st test at lords but nevertheless it was again a great achievement considering Pakistani test team was really average this time compared to 2016 one.

 

[Xoib]

True but at the time the batsmen except rcihardson were past their peaks. Marshall on his last legs at 41. This wasn't the GOAT team period.

gOAt was the one with the pace quartlet which everyone got hammered by.

So what if no one beat them for another 7 years. That was still one of their weaker sides compared to their actual GOAt team.

A Marshall so much on his last legs that he averaged 19.57 for the rest of his remaining career after this series. Some last legs indeed

 

[tyron_woodley]

A Marshall so much on his last legs that he averaged 19.57 for the rest of his remaining career after this series. Some last legs indeed

Still wasn't the 4 pace quartlet. You faced a much much weaker team..

Greendridge was 41. All the batsmen were declining. Only Richardson was in his prime..

India's draw vs Aussies was superior.

Warne averages 45 vs India. So basically just missing McGrath.

India also beat them in the test where Gillespie and Lee played. So yea.

 

[Xoib]

Still wasn't the 4 pace quartlet. You faced a much much weaker team..

Greendridge was 41. All the batsmen were declining. Only Richardson was in his prime..

India's draw vs Aussies was superior.

Warne averages 45 vs India. So basically just missing McGrath.

India also beat them in the test where Gillespie and Lee played. So yea.

Grenidge had just turned 37 not 41 don't make up stuff from your back side

 

[szrana007]

I think 1-1 against Australia in 2010 should be here too, though not exactly away.

 

[ishtiaq_ctg]

Still wasn't the 4 pace quartlet. You faced a much much weaker team..

Greendridge was 41. All the batsmen were declining. Only Richardson was in his prime..

India's draw vs Aussies was superior.

Warne averages 45 vs India. So basically just missing McGrath.

India also beat them in the test where Gillespie and Lee played. So yea.

India's adelaide win in 2003 is I think the best ever away test victory by any asian side. To beat steve waugh's Australia after conceding 550+ runs in the first innings of the test match? Magical. I dont think any asian side have ever won a away test after conceding that many runs in the first innings.

 

[tyron_woodley]

I think 1-1 against Australia in 2010 should be here too, though not exactly away.

Actually that's true. It was a 2 game series though hey? Or was it 3. Can't remember.

Shows how strong Pakistan are in swing conditions. I think they would have beaten Aussies in swing friendly Condtions.

Aussies better in bounce wickets.

 

[szrana007]

Actually that's true. It was a 2 game series though hey? Or was it 3. Can't remember.

Shows how strong Pakistan are in swing conditions. I think they would have beaten Aussies in swing friendly Condtions.

Aussies better in bounce wickets.

It was a 2 match series. Yes, Pak could have won if it was a 3 match series.