In May 2000, the sun-baked pitch of Antigua played host to a drama so tense and pulsating that it transcended cricket. The third and final Test between Pakistan and the West Indies wasn't just a match—it was an epic crafted by destiny, with every ball a beat in a larger symphony of grit, heartbreak, and glory. Featuring iconic performances by Wasim Akram, Jimmy Adams, Mohammad Yousuf, and Inzamam-ul-Haq, this match etched itself into cricket folklore as one of the most thrilling one-wicket victories in Test history.
Caribbean Cauldrons and Historic Rivalries
The rivalry
between Pakistan and the West Indies has always carried an undertone of awe and
aggression. Even during the golden era of West Indian dominance in the 1970s
and 1980s, Pakistan remained one of the few teams that frequently troubled the
mighty Windies. Yet, the one feat that continually eluded them was a series win
in the Caribbean—a summit they nearly conquered in 1988, only to be denied at
the last gasp.
Fast
forward to May 2000: both teams were in transitional phases. The West Indies, reeling
from the absence of Brian Lara, leaned heavily on the shoulders of Jimmy Adams,
their resolute captain. Pakistan, still bruised from match-fixing
controversies, sought solace in cricket’s truest format. With the series locked
at 0-0 after two dull draws, Antigua became the arena for a final showdown—one
that no one would forget.
Resilience in Ruins — Yousuf and Inzamam Hold
the Line
The West
Indies, buoyed by a pitch tinged with moisture and history favoring the chasing
team, chose to bowl first. With giants like Courtney Walsh and Curtly Ambrose
charging in, Pakistan’s top order disintegrated under pressure. At 33 for 3,
the innings hung by a thread.
But then
came the familiar pairing—Inzamam-ul-Haq, the unpredictable genius, and Mohammad Yousuf , the monk-like stylist.
Together, they stitched a crucial 97-run stand that lifted Pakistan from the
depths. Inzamam played with uncharacteristic restraint but still punished
anything loose, once pulling Ambrose for a majestic six that sent ripples
through the stands.
When
Inzamam fell for 55, Yousuf changed gears seamlessly, from anchor to commander.
His unbeaten 103 was an exhibition in patience and shot selection—a
five-and-a-half-hour vigil that symbolized the heart of Test cricket.
Pakistan
ended with a respectable 269. Walsh took a memorable five-for—his 100th in
First-Class cricket—but the visitors had punched back.
West Indian Steel — Adams and Chanderpaul Take
Charge
The West
Indian reply began promisingly with Griffith, Campbell, and Hinds all getting
starts. But the defining phase of their innings came with the arrival of Jimmy
Adams and Shivnarine Chanderpaul. From a shaky 84 for 3, they constructed a
near-impenetrable wall.
Adams was
technically immaculate, the embodiment of discipline. Chanderpaul, often
misunderstood for his quirky stance, was a revelation—tentative at first, then
fluid against spin. Together, they put on 130 runs, and the West Indies seemed
to be cruising toward a massive lead.
Pakistan’s
bowlers toiled, searching for answers. The Antigua sun blazed. The pendulum swung.
And then came the storm.
The
Akram Resurrection — Swing, Scandal, and Silence
Wasim Akram had been under fire in the months
leading up to this series. Allegations swirled. Whispers followed him. But on
the third morning, the great left-armer reminded the world why he was a once-in-a-generation
cricketer.
With a
semi-new ball and an old grudge, Akram unleashed a spell of rare ferocity. Ball
after ball tailed in, kissed the edge, rattled pads, and breached gates. In a
staggering collapse, the West Indies tumbled from 214 for 3 to 273 all out.
Akram took
6 for 61, with five wickets falling for just two runs in his decisive burst.
Waqar Younis also chipped in, removing Adams early. Pakistan had clawed back
into the game, dragging the narrative from despair to dominance.
One More Stand — Familiar Faces, Familiar Burden
Pakistan’s
second innings began predictably: under siege. The new ball moved,
Ambrose roared, and wickets tumbled. At 49 for 3, the match mirrored the first
innings.
Once again,
Inzamam and Yousuf answered the call. Their 80-run stand, methodical and
resolute, calmed the nerves. Inzamam’s 68 was filled with grit, but his
exit—caught behind off a faint edge—sparked controversy. His reaction cost him
a fine for dissent.
With
lower-order resistance lacking, Pakistan were bundled out for 219. A tricky
total, but gettable: West Indies needed 216 to win, and one good partnership
could take them home. But the stage was far from set for a walk in the park.
Final Act: Chaos, Courage, and a One-Wicket
Epic
The fourth
day ended with the hosts at 144 for 4. The game was hanging in the balance. On
the final morning, the pressure was unrelenting.
Adams, now
bearing the burden of a nation, dug deep. Pakistan, led by the irrepressible
Akram, came charging. Hinds fell. Then Chanderpaul. Then Nixon McLean. From 177
for 6, they slid to 197 for 9.
Nineteen
runs stood between victory and heartbreak. At the crease stood Jimmy Adams on 40-odd and Courtney Walsh, the perennial No.11.
Drama
unfolded: Walsh was caught off Saqlain Mushtaq—but the umpire missed it. Two
run-out chances were missed. The crowd was on edge. Moin Khan screamed into his
gloves in disbelief.
Finally,
Adams nudged a delivery from Akram into the off side. They ran. The single was
completed. West Indies had won—by one wicket. Adams dropped to the turf, arms
outstretched, his teammates flooding the pitch. Walsh remained unbeaten on 2!
Pakistan
captain Moin Khan expressed his disappointment following the dramatic
conclusion to the third Test against the West Indies, where his team fell just
short of making history. Despite the heartbreak, Moin praised the resilience
and effort of his side, particularly the exceptional performance of Wasim
Akram.
“We had our
chances but unfortunately failed to land the decisive blow. The responsibility
lies with us—not the umpires,” Moin told Dawn via telephone from St. John’s,
Antigua, as he prepared to depart for Dhaka to lead Pakistan in the Asia Cup.
Pakistan
had multiple opportunities to clinch victory on the final day, including two
missed run-outs and several contentious umpiring decisions, which saw clear
catches being turned down. Ultimately, West Indies chased down the 216-run
target with just one wicket remaining, courtesy of a gritty final-wicket
partnership between Jimmy Adams and Courtney Walsh, who added 19 nerve-wracking
runs to seal the win and preserve the Caribbean side’s unbeaten home record
against Pakistan.
“It was a
high-pressure match—intense, emotional, and fiercely competitive. Mistakes were
made by players, and yes, the umpires too had their moments,” Moin admitted,
referencing the missed run-out chances—both stemming from risky singles by
Adams and Walsh—that were squandered due to Saqlain Mushtaq’s fumbles.
Bound by
the ICC Code of Conduct, Moin refrained from openly criticizing the officiating
but left room for interpretation. “I can’t say much because of the ICC
regulations, but you saw what happened. I’ll let you judge whether we got a
fair deal. As far as I’m concerned, the umpires did their job, and ultimately,
we must look at ourselves for not finishing the job.”
The match
held added significance for Moin, who was on the verge of becoming the first
Pakistan captain to win a Test series in the West Indies—a milestone that slipped
away in the final moments.
“Of course,
it’s deeply disappointing not to come away with the win. But that’s the beauty
of Test cricket—the thrill, the tension, the rollercoaster of emotions that it
brings. Both teams contributed to a classic contest.”
Reflecting
on the drama of the match, Moin hailed it as one of the most gripping Tests he
had ever played. “I’ve been part of some incredible games—including that
one-wicket win over Australia six years ago—but nothing compares to the ebb and
flow of this match. It was simply extraordinary.”
He concluded on a note of optimism for the format itself. “In an era dominated by one-day cricket, matches like these are vital for preserving the relevance and magic of the five-day game. If anything, this Test showed why we still call it the ultimate form of cricket.”
When Cricket Becomes Legend
The Antigua
Test of 2000 wasn’t just a match—it was a masterpiece It wasn’t decided by
power or flamboyance but by nerve, skill, and soul. It showcased the art of
batting under pressure, the beauty of reverse swing, and the agony of missed
opportunities.
It was a
moment of redemption for Akram, who turned whispers into applause. It was the
crowning glory of Jimmy Adams, who defied the elements, the bowling, and the
pressure. It was Yousuf’s canvas of grace and Inzamam’s tale of defiance. And
in the end, it was Courtney Walsh’s poetic survivalthat stole the show.
The West
Indies won the series 1-0, but the real winner was Test cricket. In an era of
white-ball frenzy, this match reminded us why the red-ball game remains the truest
test of temperament and tenacity
In Antigua, under the harsh Caribbean sun and the even harsher scrutiny of expectation, cricket’s soul was laid bare—and it shone.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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