1981-82 (Sri Lanka in Pakistan) The senior players were never really comfortable in playing under Javed Miandad
M. Shoaib Ahmed13-Mar-20021981-82 (Sri Lanka in Pakistan)
The senior players were never really comfortable in playing under Javed Miandad. During the series in Australia there were reports of serious differences between the captain and his vice-captain Zaheer Abbas on several issues. All these internal disagreements between the players came in the open just before Sri Lanka arrived in Pakistan, when ten of the players refused to play under Miandad. (later the strength of the ‘rebels’, as branded by the BCCP, however reduced to eight after Iqbal Qasim and Wasim Raja were forced to play under Miandad). The BCCP President Nur Khan refused to accept the unjust demands of the senior players. The result was that Pakistan played the first two matches against the new Test playing country with virtually its second eleven.The 18-year old Saleem Malik took full advantage of this God-sent opportunity to become the third Pakistan batsman to score a Test century on his debut. Sri Lankans, who had were playing their first full series, failed to match even a second string Pakistan side and were easily brushed aside in the first-ever Test between the two teams at Karachi.Sri Lankans, however, all but turned the tables on Pakistan in the very next Test at Faisalabad. Their inexperience of playing at the highest level proved to be their major drawback in winning their first-ever Test and thus levelling the rubber. In both the innings, Sri Lankan bowlers twice ripped through Pakistan’s upper order and on both occasions it was the tail-enders led by debutant Ashraf Ali who thwarted the total capitulation of the home team.Before the last Test at Lahore, Javed Miandad voluntarily announced his resignation as captain from the tour to England. Perhaps he had realised that without these experienced players in the rank, he virtually had no chance of conquering the English team. Return of these world class players, created a big difference. Imran Khan, who was passing through the prime of his career, gave the raw and inexperienced Sri Lankan batting no chance. His scorching thunderbolts completely shattered them, as he became the first Pakistan bowler to finish with a match haul of 14 wickets.1985-86 (Sri Lanka in Pakistan)
The inexperienced Sri Lankans, under Duleep Mendis, was again no match to the Pakistan cricket team. Pakistan under Miandad had an easy ride to win the rubber 2-0 after the first Test had ended in a tall scoring draw. While the second match was won a seamer’s friendly surface the last Test at Karachi was conquered on a dusty spinner’s paradise. So Pakistan proved their all-round superiority over the hapless visitors.Imran Khan finally returned to the team after a gap of more than two years as a fast bowler and soon made an impact by claiming nine wickets on a greenish pitch at Sialkot.The rubber was, however, not without its share of controversies. Zaheer Abbas, on the eve of the second Test at Sialkot, announced his decision to quit Test cricket at the end of the series. However, when the team for the last Test was announced, name of this great batsman — who is the only non-English cricketer to score the century of centuries — was missing from the final eleven. He was, thus, not allowed to make a graceful exit from the cricketing fields, which was certainly his due after decades of top class cricket. Although he had shown every intention to play one-day matches for the country, he was never to wear the Pakistan blazer again.Qasim Umar scored another double hundred in the first Test at Faisalabad to confirm his growing reputation as a world-class performer.1985-86 (Pakistan in Sri Lanka)
Imran Khan, as expected, took over from his eventual deputy Javed Miandad as captain of Pakistan team, for the tour of Sri Lanka. His appointment, however, was not a simple one. Some of the cricket board officials were averse to the idea of Imran, once again taking control of the team. They cited his arrogant and dictatorial style as the reason for their opposition. However, eventually the pro-Imran camp succeeded as the team led by the great Khan finally departed for their first tour of Sri Lanka.The series itself ended in a 1-1 draw as Sri Lanka after losing the first Test at Kandy came back strongly in the very next match to level the series. The series, however, will be more remembered for accusation of biased home umpiring by the visitors and resulting tense relations between the two sides. At one stage Sri Lankan batsmen Arjuna Ranatunga and Roy Dias walked out of the ground in protest against the alleged sledging from Pakistan fielders. The situation could have gone out of control and the series abruptly ended after the second Test had BCCP President Gen. Safdar Butt not personally gone to Sri Lanka in order resolve the issue.Rameez Raja finally established his well-deserved place in the team with a customary elegant hundred in the final Test of the series.Imran Khan elevation to the top started a steak which was finally broken after the great all-rounder finally realised his dream of lifting the World Cup in 1992. This was the longest tenure at the top since the Kardar-era and nothing even close to that has since been achieved by any of his successors.1991-92 (Sri Lanka in Pakistan)
Just prior to the World Cup held in Australia, Sri Lankan team visited Pakistan under Aravinda de Silva and almost caused an upset over their vastly superior and considerably more experienced opponents.The series was originally scheduled for four Test matches but after the ground at Sargodha was declared unfit for an international match it was reduced to three matches. Imran Khan ‘graciously’ decided to skipper the side. The reason perhaps was the impending World Cup.The first two matches ended in draws, with only 36 overs play possible in the second Test at Gujranwala, which ironically was staging its first-ever Test match.The only result that was achieved in the series came about in the last Test at Faisalabad. Irresponsible and inept batting by the stalwarts almost handed the visitors their maiden overseas Test series victory. Chasing only 185 runs in the second innings, Pakistan lost the top four for not much. With defeat staring right in the face, Wasim Akram, who was showing encouraging strides as a promising all-rounder for the future, and the young Zahid Fazal batted with maturity and lot of determination. In the end, Pakistan squeezed home with just three wickets intact.1994-95 (Pakistan in Sri Lanka)
Saleem Malik’s second series as captain also brought rich dividends forthe now disgraced cricketer. Pakistan won both Test matches in styleafter the three-match series was reduced by one when the second Test hadto be called off due to law and order situation following elections.If Wasim Akram was splendid in the opening Test at Colombo, it was hisbowling partner Waqar Younis who was simply unplayable in the third Testat Kandy. Despite the extravagant innings from Aravinda de Silva in thefirst Test, the tourists were never really stretched in either of thetwo games.Saeed Anwar continued his rise at a batsman of the highest class byknocking up two superb innings in the first Test. He narrowly missed thefeat of century in each innings when he was dismissed six runs short ofthe mark in the first innings.In the first innings of the Kandy Test, Wasim and Waqar bowled unchangedthroughout the first innings to shot Sri Lanka out for a paltry 71. Itwas only the second time in Pakistan’s Test history when two openingbowlers had achieved the feat. The first instance was of Fazal Mahmoodand Khan Mohammad bowling unchanged to rout Australia out in the Testmatch at Karachi in 1956.1995-96 (Sri Lanka in Pakistan)
For the second successive time, captaincy was handed over to a player who had not played in the last series played by Pakistan. Rameez Raja took over from the disgraced skipper Saleem Malik. His appointment came just a few days prior to the Test series against the Arjuna Ranatunga led Sri Lankan side. The sole criterion for elevation to the saddle was his non-controversial personality.Pakistan made a winning start to the series when it won the first Test at Arbab Niaz Stadium, Peshawar, a new Test venue. Waqar Younis made a comeback to the side but was rested after the match as he failed to find the rhythm due to his long layoff from international cricket. Saqlain Mushtaq made his Test debut and took a wicket with his seventh ball in Test cricket.However fortunes changed for the worse dramatically after the opening victory for the host. Sri Lanka was again on the receiving end in the second match of the rubber at Faisalabad, after conceding a handsome first innings lead to Pakistan. At this crucial juncture with Pakistan all set to record a convincing series win over Sri Lanka under Rameez Raja, Wasim Akram strangely broke down with a ‘frozen’ shoulder before Sri Lanka began their second innings. His sudden absence and with Waqar also not selected, it gave Sri Lankan batsmen enough leverage to consolidate their vulnerable position in the match. Then it was the turn of the batsmen to show their share of irresponsibility to hand the visitors a close victory.The rubber was lost when an inexperienced fast bowling attack of Pakistan led by Aaqib Javed failed to take advantage of a green wicket at Sialkot. Even a fighting unbeaten century from wicket keeper Moin Khan failed to stave off the ignominy of series loss at home after a gap of fourteen years.1996-97 (Pakistan in Sri Lanka)
Pakistan, playing their third successive two-Test series, overcame fatigue, exhaustion and humid conditions, to return unscathed from Sri Lanka.Both Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis, giving excuse of injuries but at the same time declaring themselves fit for their respective counties, missed the tour. In the absence of these ace fast bowlers, the burden of sharing the new ball fell on the young and raw shoulders of Shahid Nazir and Mohammad Zahid. Unluckily for Pakistan, both could not bear the extreme humidity, and broke down in the middle of the second Test played at Colombo. The situation became so desperate for Pakistan that in the second innings, brother-in-laws Saleem Malik and Ijaz Ahmed opened the bowling for Pakistan. With Saeed Anwar also missing, captaincy passed on to Rameez Raja.Aravinda de Silva, who has made it a point to target various Pakistan bowling attacks to score most of his runs, scored an amazing three consecutive hundreds in the series. In the second match, he remained unbeaten in both the innings during his three-figure knocks. This was the first occasion in the history of Test cricket when a batsman has achieved such a remarkable feat.Sri Lankans were denied victory in the second match by a classic hundred from Saleem Malik, who played perhaps the finest knock of his career to save the Test for his team.1998-99 (Asian Test Championship)
After an encouraging show in the series against India, the team seems to be on a roll with Akram in complete command.In the first match of the tournament, played at the famous Eden Garden, Calcutta, Pakistan easily overcame resistance from Indian batting order to score a convincing 46 runs win. Unfortunately after the partisan crowd had threatened to disrupt the proceedings as India approached defeat, the victory rites were completed in front of an empty stadium.Saeed Anwar, who till then was having a very ordinary Indian tour, finally came into his own and played a vintage knock. His unbeaten 189 should rank as the best ever innings by the attractive opener. He was ruthless, he was awesome and he was breathtaking. It was in fact his knock, which took the game away from the Indians, who till then seem to be matching Pakistan in every department of the game.Pakistan entered their second match of the tournament against Sri Lanka with the comforting thought that they were ensured of a place in the final. The match did end in a draw but in drawing Sri Lanka obtained the seven points they needed to make it to the final. Pakistan team also seemed to have played a part in helping Sri Lanka get those valuable points. The Pakistan team management itself never hid the fact that it preferred to face Sri Lanka, the weaker of the two sides, than India in the final.The major highlight of the match was the hat-trick achieved by skipper Wasim Akram. He bowled very little in the match but whenever he bowled, he appeared devastating. The Peshawar-born Wajahatullah Wasti scored in each innings in only his second Test of his career. He thus became only the third Pakistani after Hanif Mohammad and Javed Miandad to achieve the feat.The final at Dhaka predictably turned out to be a one-side affair as a confident Pakistan side gave Sri Lankans no chance. Wasim Akram got his second successive hat-trick, a feat achieved by just one bowler before him in Test cricket history.Ijaz Ahmed and Inzamam-ul-Haq ensured that Sri Lanka will never comeback in the game by scoring double hundreds. Thus a win by an innings and 175 runs was indicative of the huge gulf in the two sides.1999-2000 (Sri Lanka in Pakistan)
After a whitewash at the hands of Australia, another humiliation was in store for the national team, as it lost the second consecutive home series against the touring Sri Lankans.Even a change of captaincy did not bring any positive change in the fortunes of the team. After Wasim Akram stepped down – citing ‘personal reasons’ – Saeed Anwar was re-appointed as the skipper. No lesson from the series against South Africa was taken during which Saeed has shown his inability to lead the side purposefully. Lack of inspirational leadership combined with poor on-the-field display caused Pakistan to lose the first two matches of the series. With these two defeats, Pakistan’s sequence of successive defeats was stretched to five. So even if Saeed had not strained his neck after colliding with umpire Nazir Jr. in the second Test, in all probability Moin Khan in any case would have replaced him.Moin Khan’s elevation and Javed Miandad’s appointment as coach for the last Test at Karachi brought immediate dividends as Pakistan easily triumphed over their guests. Pakistan’s batting for once clicked and confidently faced off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who had earlier wrecked havoc in the ranks of the Pakistanis.Wasim Akram missed the last two matches after breaking down with a groin injury in the opening Test at Rawalpindi. However he left a lasting impression in the match with a superlative batting display in the second innings. It was his tremendous partnership with debutante Younis Khan, which enabled Pakistan to take a sizeable lead and had it not been for the extraordinary valour shown by Arjuna Ranatunga, Pakistan would surely have gone ahead in the rubber. Younis Khan showed remarkable temperament to score century in trying circumstances. He thus became the seventh Pakistani to score a hundred on his debut. What was most encouraging was the confident manner in which he tackled Muralitharan, against whom most of his seasoned colleagues were completely at sea.Shoaib Akhtar made a successful return to the team after the ICC lifted the ban it had earlier imposed on him as he was suspected of chucking. The fire and venom with which he bowled showed that a slight change in his bowling action has not affected his pace.1999-2000 (Pakistan in Sri Lanka)
Pakistan under Moin Khan simply steamrolled the Sri Lankans and that too in their own territory. Wasim Akram, who seemed to be enjoying his game much more after taking off the shackles of captaincy, churned out a superb all-round performance. His impact on Pakistan two wins in the series can be judged from the fact that he won the Man-of-the-Match award in both the matches. That Pakistan’s failed to make a clean sweep of the series should be attributed to poor weather in the last Test at Kandy.Pakistan was thus forced to return home satisfied with a 2-0 victory in the three-Test series. The second Test, which Pakistan won by an innings margin, will also be remembered for the hat-trick by Abdul Razzaq. The right-arm fast medium bowler, in the process became the youngest bowler in the history of Test cricket to achieve the feat and the only second fact Asian to have achieved the feat after Wasim Akram.In the second Test; four Pakistani batsmen, Saeed Anwar, Inzamam, Younis Khan, and Wasim Akram scored centuries. Akram, in fact continued his blazing form with the bat from the first Test. In that particular match, he twice came to the rescue of his struggling side.When Arjuna Ranatunga appeared in his country’s 100th Test match in the opening match Colombo, he became the first player in the annals of Test cricket to have played in the first and the hundredth match for his country.Wasim Akram seemed to have rediscovered his form. Of the last four Test matches, which Pakistan had played, he was the Man-of-the-Match in three of them. The series also witnessed Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis taking their 400th and 300th wicket respectively in Test cricket.