A Test of Endurance: The Inaugural Match at Iqbal Park Stadium

The first-ever Test match at Iqbal Park Stadium in Faisalabad was a contest defined not by dramatic twists or decisive moments but by the weight of attrition. Played on an over-prepared surface that was too slow to assist bowlers yet too true to unsettle batsmen, the match meandered towards an inevitable draw—the thirteenth in a row between these two cricketing powerhouses. It was a contest where patience was the key currency, where stroke-making flourished, yet the spirit of competition was dulled by a pitch that offered neither movement for pacers nor bite for spinners. 

Pakistan, once again fortunate with the toss, capitalized on the benign conditions and made their intentions clear from the outset. The hosts declared at an imposing 503 for eight—their highest total against India—built on the brilliance of Zaheer Abbas and Javed Miandad, whose contrasting yet equally effective styles dismantled India’s bowling attack. Zaheer, often referred to as the ‘Asian Bradman,’ displayed his signature elegance, weaving a magnificent 176 with a tapestry of graceful off-side strokes and punishing pulls. Miandad, normally a batsman of bubbling energy and unpredictability, played an innings of maturity and restraint, grinding out an unbeaten 154 in a display of unrelenting concentration. Together, they constructed a record-breaking 255-run partnership for the fourth wicket—at the time, the highest in Indo-Pak Test history. 

A Faltering Start, a Resilient Recovery

Despite their eventual dominance, Pakistan’s innings was not without its early tribulations. Majid Khan and Sadiq Mohammad provided a solid start, but a brief collapse saw the team stumble from 84 for 1 to 110 for 3. The dismissals of Mushtaq Mohammad and Asif Iqbal in quick succession threatened to undo the initial promise, but Pakistan’s batting depth ensured they regained control. 

Zaheer reached his century in three hours and twenty minutes, accelerating against the second new ball in a breathtaking display of stroke-making. His innings, adorned with two sixes and 24 boundaries, was a masterclass in placement and timing. Miandad, usually an exuberant stroke-player, curbed his natural aggression but remained a constant thorn in India’s side, batting for more than seven hours. His calculated innings included three sixes and thirteen fours, reinforcing his adaptability to different match situations. 

India’s Response: Playing for Survival

Faced with an imposing total, India had little choice but to play for a draw. They executed this task with measured discipline, constructing a series of solid partnerships to keep Pakistan’s bowlers at bay. The bedrock of their response was provided by their two most accomplished batsmen—Sunil Gavaskar and Gundappa Viswanath. Gavaskar, as always, was the picture of technical excellence, laying a steady foundation with a characteristically composed 89. His 101-run partnership with Viswanath for the third wicket was instrumental in blunting Pakistan’s hopes of forcing a result. 

Viswanath, however, was the true architect of India’s survival. His masterful 145—the highest score of his Test career—was a blend of defiance and artistry. In reaching his century, he also etched his name in history as the first Indian batsman to register a hundred against every Test-playing nation. His knock, along with a crucial 166-run partnership with Dilip Vengsarkar, ensured that by the fourth morning, India had all but secured the draw. 

Pakistan’s Defensive Tactics: A Missed Opportunity

Given their substantial first-innings total, Pakistan’s approach in the field was surprisingly defensive. Imran Khan and Sarfraz Nawaz, while menacing in short bursts, were overused, delivering spells that slowed down the over-rate to an uninspiring twelve per hour. The persistent short-pitched bowling—a ploy used frequently in that era—kept the Indian batsmen cautious but also allowed them to settle. 

A particularly curious decision was the delayed introduction of Iqbal Qasim. The left-arm spinner, known for his control and subtle variations, was not called upon until India had surpassed 200—a baffling oversight on a pitch that, although lifeless, might have offered him some assistance. Mushtaq Mohammad, Pakistan’s captain and a leg-spinner himself, bowled predominantly from around the wicket, targeting the rough outside leg stump, a tactic more suited to containment than wicket-taking. 

With the first innings of both teams stretching deep into the fourth day and the run differential a mere 41, the second innings became little more than an academic exercise. Yet, in the limited time available, Zaheer Abbas nearly accomplished the rare feat of twin centuries in a Test match, falling just short, while Asif Iqbal played a sparkling knock to reach a hundred. 

Controversy and Delay: A Heated Exchange

For all the camaraderie that underscored much of the contest, the match was not without controversy. Late on the fourth day, tensions simmered when umpire Shakoor Rana issued a warning to Mohinder Amarnath for running onto the protected area of the pitch. What should have been a routine moment of officiating quickly escalated into a heated confrontation. Sunil Gavaskar, India’s vice-captain, reacted angrily, directing sharp words at the umpire—an outburst that provoked immediate repercussions. 

The following morning, Rana and his colleague refused to take the field, insisting on disciplinary action before resuming play. The delay stretched for eleven minutes before a compromise was reached, allowing the game to continue. Though brief, the episode cast a shadow over an otherwise good-spirited match, highlighting the underlying tensions that often simmered beneath the surface of Indo-Pak encounters. 

A Match That Reflected an Era

The Faisalabad Test encapsulated the essence of cricket between Pakistan and India in the late 20th century—a contest dominated by batsmen, shaped by cautious captaincy, and occasionally marred by moments of acrimony. While the result itself was inconsequential in the larger scheme, the individual performances—Zaheer’s artistry, Miandad’s resilience, Viswanath’s sublime strokeplay—added another chapter to the storied rivalry. 

Yet, the match also exposed a broader trend: an era where flat pitches and conservative tactics often turned high-profile series into predictable stalemates. Though the record books will mark this game as just another drawn Test, it remains, in retrospect, a microcosm of the complex, enthralling, and sometimes frustrating cricketing relationship between these two nations.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar