A Tale of High Drama at Old Trafford
There are Test matches that unfold methodically, like a
well-paced novel, and then there are those that twist and turn unpredictably,
leaving players and spectators breathless in their wake. The 2001 Old Trafford
Test between England and Pakistan belonged to the latter category—a gripping five-day
contest where fortunes swung wildly, controversy flared, and cricketing
brilliance shone through.
At tea on the final day, England stood at 196 for two,
seemingly on the verge of securing a hard-earned draw. With only a few hours
left in the match, they were in pole position to claim a fifth consecutive
series win—something they hadn’t achieved in 30 years. But in a spellbinding
final session, chaos erupted. Eight wickets tumbled in a dramatic collapse,
four of them to deliveries that should have been called as no-balls. Umpiring
oversights aside, Pakistan’s relentless pressure proved too much for England,
sealing a famous victory that reinforced the visitors’ dominance.
The triumph extended England’s dismal record at Old
Trafford—just one win since 1981—and sent Pakistan’s fans into rapturous
celebration. Horns blared, flags waved, and the visiting team basked in the
glory of an unforgettable win.
Inzamam-ul-Haq: A
Master at Work
If there was a singular figure who defined Pakistan’s
success, it was Inzamam-ul-Haq. A batsman of rare elegance and power, he came
agonizingly close to emulating Steve Waugh’s twin centuries at this very ground
in 1997. Though he fell 15 runs short of that milestone, his performance was
nothing short of a masterpiece.
From the moment he strode to the crease on the first morning, Inzamam exuded control. England had reduced Pakistan to a precarious 92 for four, but the great right-hander refused to succumb. First, he steadied the innings, soaking up the pressure with characteristic calmness; then, he seized command, dispatching loose deliveries with clinical precision. The English bowlers, hindered by the blustery Manchester winds, struggled to contain him. A symphony of flicks pulls, and booming drives saw Inzamam compile a magnificent 114, propelling Pakistan to a formidable 403.
His influence extended into the second innings, where he
once again guided his side through troubled waters. Dropped at slip on 36, he
went on to forge a 141-run partnership with Yousuf Youhana, ensuring that
England’s target would be a daunting 370. With this performance, Inzamam
leapfrogged the legendary Zaheer Abbas to become Pakistan’s third-highest
run-scorer in Test history.
England’s Moment of
Promise, and the Collapse That Followed
England’s first innings began disastrously, as both
openers departed with just 15 runs on the board. But then came a partnership
that momentarily tilted the match in their favour. Graham Thorpe, in the form of
his life, joined forces with Michael Vaughan to orchestrate a breathtaking
counterattack.
Their stand of 267 runs was a study in contrast—Thorpe,
cutting and driving with sharp precision, while Vaughan played with an
effortless grace that suggested a long and fruitful career ahead. Thorpe reached
his ninth Test century, Vaughan his first—sealed dramatically with a six
that included four overthrows.
England appeared to be in control, but in the space of a few
overs, their dominance crumbled. First, Wasim Akram’s brilliance in the field
ran out Thorpe for 138. Five balls later, Vaughan gloved a Waqar Younis
outswinger to the keeper. Suddenly, the floodgates burst open. Ward ran himself
out, Knight edged to the slips, and the lower order disintegrated. From a
position of strength, England folded for 357, handing Pakistan a lead of
46.
Pakistan’s Second
Innings: Building the Wall
England fought back with the ball, reducing Pakistan to 63
for three, but once again, Inzamam held firm. This time, his ally was the
ever-stylish Youhana, and together they compiled another crucial 141-run
stand.
England had their chances—Knight, enduring a torrid match in
the slips, dropped Inzamam again—but they failed to capitalize. Even when
Youhana was controversially given out, caught off the peak of his helmet,
Pakistan’s lower order frustrated the hosts. England were left with an imposing
target of 370.
Atherton and Trescothick made a lively start, racing to 85
without loss, and by stumps, England had a genuine chance, needing 285 runs off
90 overs. Hope flickered in the home dressing room.
The Final Day:
Pakistan’s Ruthless Finish
The last day began with England in cautious pursuit. The
morning session saw them add 64 runs, the only casualty being Atherton, bowled through
the gate. But after lunch, Pakistan tightened their grip.
Saqlain Mushtaq, returning to the side in place of Shoaib
Akhtar, emerged as the key figure. Exploiting the rough outside the
left-hander’s leg stump, he choked England’s scoring rate, reducing the chase
to a crawl. The pressure became suffocating.
Waqar Younis seized his moment with the second new ball,
ripping through England’s resistance. Thorpe was castled, Trescothick gloved a
leg-side bouncer, and Stewart inexplicably padded up to a straight one from
Saqlain. England were reeling, but the real drama was yet to unfold.
Controversy and
Collapse: England’s Last Stand Crumbles
With England still in contention for a draw, the umpiring
errors began to mount. Wasim Akram trapped Knight in front—only for replays to
reveal a blatant no-ball. No call was made. Moments later, Saqlain dismissed
Ward and Caddick, both off overstepped deliveries. England had lost four
wickets for one run in just 13 balls.
A flicker of resistance came from Cork and Gough, but
Pakistan’s victory was inevitable. With barely seven overs remaining, Cork fell
to yet another uncalled Saqlain no-ball, and Gough perished the next over. The
moment the final wicket fell, the pitch was invaded by a sea of green-clad
Pakistani fans, delirious with joy.
Watching from London, the Australians—preparing for the
Ashes—must have been quietly grinning. England’s dream of a historic series win
had been shattered in the most agonizing manner possible.
A Test Match for the
Ages
Cricket is a sport that thrives on the unpredictable, and
this match at Old Trafford exemplified that truth. England had their moments—Vaughan’s
sublime century, Thorpe’s brilliance, the early optimism of the final day—but
in the end, they were undone by Pakistan’s skill, resilience, and tactical
nous.
Inzamam was the architect, Wasim and Waqar the destroyers,
and Saqlain the silent assassin. The umpires’ oversights added controversy, but
they did not alter the reality: Pakistan had outplayed England in every
defining moment.
For England, the defeat was a bitter pill to swallow. For Pakistan, it was a victory that reaffirmed their pedigree in the game’s most demanding format. And for cricket fans, it was a reminder of why Test cricket, at its twisting, turning best, remains the purest and most compelling spectacle in the sport.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
