Cricket, at its most enthralling, often weaves a narrative of redemption. Pakistan, battered in their first innings and trailing by a daunting 254 runs, seemed destined for defeat. Yet, through sheer resolve and some of the finest batting of the series, they clawed their way to a draw against a formidable West Indies side.
The home
team, buoyed by their victory in the second Test, made a solitary
change—replacing the spinner, Raphick Jumadeen, with the fast-bowling all-rounder,
Bernard Julien. Pakistan, in contrast, opted for a more pace-heavy attack,
omitting Intikhab Alam and Qasim Umar in favour of a fit-again Zaheer Abbas and
the fiery Sarfraz Nawaz.
A Gamble Pays Off
Clive
Lloyd, known for his aggressive captaincy, took a calculated risk by inviting
Pakistan to bat first on a surface traditionally favouring batsmen. However, an
early injury forced him off the field with a torn hamstring, leaving his
bowlers to justify his bold decision. That they did—exploiting Pakistan’s
reckless shot selection to dismiss them cheaply just after tea on the first
day. Only Imran Khan, Mushtaq Mohammad, and Haroon Rasheed crossed 30, with
Mushtaq’s painstaking innings reflecting the visitors’ struggle against the
relentless West Indian pace attack.
The hosts,
though initially pegged back by the loss of Roy Fredericks and the early
dismissal of Viv Richards, adopted a measured approach. Without their captain
at full fitness, the burden fell on Gordon Greenidge, Alvin Kallicharran, and
debutant Richard Shillingford to steer the innings. Between lunch and tea on
the second day, their caution was evident—54 runs trickled from 34 overs, an
unusually sedate pace for a West Indian side known for its flamboyance.
Yet, the
day’s slow tempo was overshadowed by moments of ill temper. The volatile
atmosphere reached its nadir when Kallicharran, incensed by an lbw decision,
reacted petulantly, triggering a twenty-minute interruption as frustrated
spectators resorted to bottle-throwing. The contest, already simmering, had
acquired an edge of hostility.
Shillingford’s Moment of Glory
Greenidge’s
91, uncharacteristically subdued, consumed four and a half hours, while
Kallicharran’s 72 was only marginally quicker. However, the third morning saw a
shift in momentum. Shillingford, a batsman who had spent years on the fringes
of Test selection, played with remarkable authority against the second new
ball. His composed, disciplined century—compiled in five and three-quarter
hours—anchored a crucial sixth-wicket stand of 123 with Deryck Murray. It was
an innings of quiet assurance, studded with fifteen boundaries and a solitary
six. By the time he was dismissed for 120, West Indies had amassed a commanding
lead, leaving Pakistan with the daunting task of surviving over two days to
salvage the match.
A Fightback for the Ages
With their
backs against the wall, Pakistan’s response was anything but defensive. Majid
Khan and Sadiq Mohammad set the tone with a confident 60-run opening stand,
though the latter’s departure—struck on the jaw by Andy Roberts while
attempting a hook—briefly halted their momentum.
Zaheer
Abbas then strode to the crease and, alongside Majid, produced a masterclass in
strokeplay. On a pristine batting track with a lightning-fast outfield, the duo
unfurled a breathtaking array of shots, their 159-run partnership in just two
and a half hours shifting the tenor of the match.
Majid, the
linchpin of Pakistan’s resistance, played one of the finest knocks of his
career. Dropped on 74 by Greenidge, he made the reprieve count, crafting a
magnificent 167. When Greenidge finally held onto a chance off Roberts, Majid
had already spent six hours at the crease, striking twenty-five boundaries and
all but ensuring Pakistan’s survival.
A Stalemate, but Not Without Drama
Despite
occasional flashes of hope for the West Indies on the final day, Pakistan’s
lower order held firm. As the clock wound down, the contest drifted towards an
inevitable draw, with Greenidge adding a personal footnote—his second score in
the nineties of the match.
In the end,
the match was more than just a statistical stalemate; it was a testament to
resilience. The West Indies, despite their superiority for much of the game,
were denied victory by Pakistan’s unyielding spirit. What had begun as a tale
of dominance concluded as a story of defiance—one that would linger in the
memory far beyond the final ball bowled.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
No comments:
Post a Comment