Ireland’s Historic Test: Pakistan Survive the Malahide Scare

Under the brooding grey skies of Malahide, Pakistan emerged to chase 160 runs on the final day of Ireland’s inaugural Test match. It was a target that, on paper, seemed modest, but for Pakistan—a team notorious for faltering in fourth-innings chases—the spectre of past collapses loomed large. The ghosts of Galle, Sydney, and Abu Dhabi haunted the minds of fans, and early on, it seemed Malahide might join that list. 

Tim Murtagh and Boyd Rankin, with their probing lines and relentless discipline, dismantled Pakistan’s top order in the opening overs. At 14 for 3, the visitors were teetering on the brink of calamity. Irish fans, their flags fluttering proudly, roared in anticipation of a monumental upset. Victory would have made Ireland only the second team to win their debut Test and the fourth to triumph after following on. 

But Pakistan’s young guns, Imam-ul-Haq and Babar Azam, had other plans. With remarkable composure, they steadied the ship, playing late and under their eyes to counter the moving ball. Their partnership, built on grit and patience, turned the tide. Though two more wickets fell before the chase was completed, the pair had done enough to ensure Pakistan escaped a historic Irish ambush. 

A Batting Line-Up in Flux

While Pakistan’s bowlers once again delivered, their batting remains a persistent Achilles’ heel. The absence of stalwarts like Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq continues to haunt the middle order. Azhar Ali and Asad Shafiq, the designated torchbearers of this batting line-up, have yet to fill the void consistently. 

Azhar Ali, undoubtedly one of Pakistan’s most dependable batsmen in recent years, struggles on seaming tracks. His tendency to play with a heavy front foot and his vulnerability to deliveries angling into the middle and leg stump often render him ineffective in conditions favouring swing and seam. His struggles in England and New Zealand are a testament to this flaw, and unless he adapts by playing the ball later and with softer hands, his contributions will remain sporadic. 

Asad Shafiq, meanwhile, is an enigma. Technically sound and capable of producing breathtaking innings, his career has been marred by inconsistency. While he has played some of Pakistan’s finest Test knocks, his inability to build on starts and his penchant for losing concentration at crucial junctures have been frustrating. His form oscillates between brilliance and mediocrity, disrupting the team’s rhythm. 

Sarfraz’s Role and the Young Brigade

Captain Sarfraz Ahmed’s role at number six is pivotal. Known for his resilience under pressure, Sarfraz has the temperament and technique to stabilize innings when chaos reigns. However, as both captain and wicketkeeper, he shoulders immense responsibility. For Pakistan to thrive in England, Sarfraz must lead by example, curbing rash strokes and anchoring the lower middle order. 

The team’s younger players, though talented, lack the experience and technical finesse to thrive in challenging conditions. Fakhar Zaman’s explosive starts, while valuable, must be tempered with an understanding of the Test match tempo. Usman Salahuddin’s measured half-century against Leicestershire in a warm-up game was a promising sign, but the real test lies in withstanding the relentless examination of Anderson, Broad, and company. 

Lessons from 2016 and the Road Ahead

Pakistan’s 2016 tour of England offers a blueprint for success. Then, the experience of Younis and Misbah, coupled with Yasir Shah’s spin, propelled them to memorable performances. Today, the absence of such seasoned campaigners makes the task exponentially harder. To succeed, Pakistan’s batsmen must embrace the fundamentals: trust their defence, play the ball late, and occupy the crease. The allure of adventurous strokes must be resisted, for survival in England demands discipline above all else. 

The warm-up game against Leicestershire, while offering little in terms of quality opposition, provided crucial confidence. Fakhar and Azhar’s century opening stand and Salahuddin’s patient knock were heartening signs. Yet, the real battle begins against England—a team transformed into a juggernaut in home conditions, with pacers who exploit every nuance of the Duke ball. 

The Verdict

Malahide was a wake-up call. It exposed Pakistan’s vulnerabilities but also showcased their ability to claw back from the brink. To succeed in England, they must channel that same resilience, leaning on their bowlers while demanding more from their batsmen. The ghosts of collapses past still linger, but with the right application, this Pakistan side has the potential to rewrite its narrative. 

In cricket, as in life, it is often not the most talented who prevail but the most adaptable. For Pakistan, the challenge is clear: adapt, endure, and thrive in the face of adversity. Only then can they hope to turn the promise of Malahide into a sustained resurgence on the world stage.

Thank You\

Faisal Caesar