For four days and a session, the Test match in Sharjah seemed destined to be forgotten—a laborious, slow-moving contest that did little to uplift the reputation of Test cricket. But as the sun set on the final day, Pakistan transformed the drudgery into a spectacular coup, orchestrating one of the most thrilling final-session chases in modern cricket.
Their effort was not just a fightback but a tactical
masterpiece, an emphatic statement that controlled aggression, strategic
intent, and fearless execution could upend even the most stubborn opposition.
Pakistan’s successful pursuit of 302 in 57.3 overs, at an astonishing run rate
of 5.25, was the second-fastest chase of a 200-plus target in Test history. But
beyond the numbers, it was the psychological dismantling of Sri Lanka that
stood out.
This was a match that demanded something extraordinary from
both sides if a result was to emerge. Pakistan answered that call with purpose
and precision. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, faltered through excessive caution
and tactical naivety.
Sri Lanka’s Defensive
Mentality: The Seeds of Defeat
Pakistan’s road to victory was paved in part by Sri Lanka’s
own missteps. Entering the final day with a lead of 220 and five wickets in
hand, Sri Lanka had an opportunity to push for a declaration that would put
Pakistan under immense pressure. Instead, they batted with painstaking sluggishness,
adding just 19 runs in 16.4 overs. Their scoring rate was reminiscent of an era
long past, but in the modern game, such passivity is often a recipe for
disaster.
Their approach seemed dictated by the fear of losing rather
than the ambition to win. Even when it became apparent that Pakistan would have
a realistic shot at victory, Sri Lanka remained locked in their ultra-defensive
mindset. They assumed that mere survival would see them through, but cricket
does not reward stagnation—it rewards initiative.
With 59 overs left in two sessions, Sri Lanka should still
have been firm favourites. Even if they could not force a win, a draw seemed the
most likely outcome. But as Pakistan’s batsmen took charge with a clarity of
purpose, Sri Lanka continued to withdraw into their shell, failing to seize
even the most fleeting moments of control. By the time they realized the
enormity of the threat, it was too late.
The Tactical Shift:
Pakistan’s Intent and Ingenuity
The pivotal moment of the day arrived just before tea, when
Pakistan made a bold, unconventional move—sending Sarfraz Ahmed in at No. 5. It
was a decision rooted in tactical awareness, recognizing that aggression was
the only way forward.
Sarfraz’s approach against Rangana Herath was a masterclass
in counter-strategy. Herath, bowling from over the wicket, persisted with a
defensive line—pitching the ball wide outside leg stump in an effort to stifle
scoring opportunities. Most batsmen would have been content to pad the ball
away, playing into the spinner’s hands. Sarfraz, however, refused to be
shackled.
He took guard near the wide-ball indicators, opening up new
scoring angles. With a packed leg-side field, he repeatedly lofted the ball
inside-out through covers, forcing Mathews into a reactive field change. The
moment Mathews adjusted his field, Sarfraz responded by slogging Herath over
midwicket. His relentless attack culminated in a 15-run over—suddenly, Pakistan
had the upper hand.
Meanwhile, Azhar Ali was accumulating with methodical
brilliance. Where Sarfraz was unorthodox and explosive, Azhar was calculated
and precise. He played the seamers with control, swept Herath off his defensive
lines, and exploited the spread-out field to rotate strike effortlessly. His
half-century came off just 79 balls, a crucial marker in a chase that demanded
both composure and urgency.
The 89-run stand between Azhar and Sarfraz, coming at a
run-a-ball, set the tone for the final assault. When Sarfraz eventually fell,
gloving a leg-side delivery from Shaminda Eranga, Sri Lanka had a chance to
claw their way back. But Mathews, inexplicably, remained defensive—even with a
new batsman at the crease.
Misbah and Azhar: The
Final Assault
By the time Misbah-ul-Haq walked in, Pakistan needed 116
runs from 22.2 overs—an equation that would typically invite caution. But this
was no ordinary chase. Pakistan refused to slow down, seizing every scoring
opportunity with remarkable efficiency.
A defining moment arrived in the 40th over, bowled by
Suranga Lakmal. Azhar jumped outside leg and drove fiercely, forcing a diving
save from the deep-cover fielder. The next three balls were deftly placed to
deep point and deep midwicket, before Misbah pulled one to the fine-leg
boundary. The over leaked 12 runs, and Sri Lanka’s fragile grip on the match
was slipping away.
Even as Azhar and Misbah executed sweeps and reverse-sweeps
at will, Mathews persisted with his defensive field. It was a baffling decision—Herath
was proving ineffective, yet the Sri Lankan captain refused to turn to his
offspinner, Dilruwan Perera. The absence of a tactical shift only made
Pakistan’s job easier.
Sri Lanka’s Last
Stand: A Desperate Attempt to Stall
As the game edged towards its climax, Sri Lanka resorted to
time-wasting tactics, a sign of their growing desperation. Eranga required
prolonged medical attention after brushing against Misbah’s helmet, and when
Lakmal slipped while fielding, umpire Richard Kettleborough had to intervene,
instructing the physio to remain off the field.
But these disruptions did little to alter Pakistan’s
momentum. With 30 required from 30 balls, the equation had been reduced to a
simple exercise in finishing. Azhar, having held the innings together with
masterful composure, brought up his century in spectacular style—swiping a
delivery to the midwicket boundary. The 100-run stand between him and Misbah
had come off just 111 balls, epitomizing the calculated aggression that had defined
Pakistan’s chase.
Even when Pakistan required just 17 runs off four overs, Sri
Lanka refused to bring their fielders up. It was a clear admission of
defeat—the match had already slipped through their fingers.
The Foundations of
Victory: A Story of Two Approaches
Pakistan’s final-session heroics were made possible by the
foundation laid in the afternoon session. Ahmed Shehzad and Khurram Manzoor had
signaled their intent early, attacking from the outset and forcing Mathews to
spread his field. Though their approach was risky, leading to their dismissals,
it sent an important message—Pakistan would not be bogged down.
Azhar and Younis Khan then ensured stability, adding 49 runs
in measured fashion. When Younis fell, Pakistan made another statement by
promoting Sarfraz—a move that turned the game on its head.
In contrast, Sri Lanka lacked urgency throughout. Their
brief burst of counterattacking cricket came from Prasanna Jayawardene in the
morning session, when 62 runs were added in 14 overs. But the moment wickets
fell, they reverted to survival mode.
By the end of the match, the difference was clear. Sri Lanka
had batted for 273.4 overs and managed just enough runs to lose. Pakistan
needed only 166.4 overs to surpass them. The contrast in intent and execution
was stark.
A Game of Sight and
Insight
As darkness crept over Sharjah, Sri Lanka’s players, with
their captain at the helm, feebly protested that they could not see the ball.
In reality, it was never about vision—it was about insight.
Pakistan had seen the opportunity and seized it with
ruthless clarity. Sri Lanka had let the moment pass them by.
In the grand tapestry of Test cricket, this was not just a thrilling chase but a lesson in adaptability. The teams that dare, that read the situation correctly, that take calculated risks—those are the teams that triumph. And on this day, Pakistan stood tall as the masters of the moment.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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