Abdul Razzaq’s Masterclass: A Dramatic Tie That Defied Logic

Cricket has long been a game of shifting fortunes, but few encounters have encapsulated its unpredictability as dramatically as this extraordinary contest between Pakistan and Sri Lanka. At one point, with just 24 runs required from 60 balls and eight wickets in hand, Sri Lanka appeared to be cruising towards an inevitable victory. However, in a remarkable twist of fate, Abdul Razzaq orchestrated a breathtaking collapse, producing a spell of fast bowling that will be etched in the annals of one-day international cricket.

Razzaq, who had been relatively unremarkable in his first seven overs, conceding 28 runs, was reintroduced into the attack with the game seemingly beyond Pakistan’s grasp. What followed was a masterclass in reverse swing bowling under pressure. The Sri Lankan innings, which had been progressing smoothly, began to unravel just as the finishing line came into sight. Despite still holding the upper hand with five wickets in hand and a mere 14 runs needed from 30 balls, Sri Lanka's descent into chaos was swift and brutal.

The Magical Spell

Razzaq’s spell was a symphony of precision and ruthlessness. His first over back saw only three runs conceded, two of which came through overthrows. Then, as if possessed by the spirit of Pakistan’s great fast-bowling legacy, he delivered a series of unplayable deliveries that carved through Sri Lanka’s lower order. Stumps cartwheeled, batsmen looked bewildered, and what had seemed an unassailable position for Sri Lanka disintegrated into an improbable tie. Three of Razzaq’s victims had their defences breached by searing reverse swing, his final figures of 5 for 31 standing as a testament to his extraordinary influence over the match.

Pakistan’s innings earlier in the day had been a tale of unfulfilled promise. At 131 for 2, they were well-placed to post a formidable total, but their struggle against a turning ball curtailed any hopes of dominance. The middle order failed to capitalize on the strong start, succumbing to spin and disciplined bowling from the Sri Lankan attack. Nevertheless, they managed to set a target that, while seemingly modest, ultimately proved sufficient in the face of their inspired fightback.

For Sri Lanka, the disappointment was palpable. A match-winning partnership between Romesh Kaluwitharana and Russel Arnold, worth 115 runs, had all but secured victory. Their composure at the crease and ability to rotate strike had seemingly drained the fight out of Pakistan. Yet, as is so often the case in cricket, the final act held a twist that defied logic. The collapse was not merely a loss of wickets but a complete breakdown in temperament and technique under pressure. Pakistan’s fielders, sensing the shift in momentum, swooped in with renewed energy, cutting off singles and applying relentless pressure. It was a collapse that will be remembered for its sheer improbability, and Razzaq’s spell will be spoken of in the same breath as some of the most dramatic finishes the game has ever seen.

A Match for the Ages

Beyond the numbers and statistics, this match serves as a testament to the unpredictability of cricket. It highlights the psychological aspect of the game, where pressure can dismantle even the most well-set batting line-ups. Sri Lanka’s inability to hold their nerve in the dying moments turned what should have been a routine chase into a debacle, while Pakistan’s never-say-die attitude snatched an unlikely result from the jaws of defeat.

This contest, the 16th tie in the history of one-day internationals, was a stark reminder that in cricket, certainty is an illusion. Victory, no matter how assured it seems, is never guaranteed until the final run is scored. Razzaq’s heroics will be remembered not just as a great spell of bowling but as an exhibition of the magic and drama that make cricket the beautiful game it is.

Thank You

Faisal Caesar

Vintage Wasim, Vulnerable India: Pakistan Cruise to Tenth Sharjah Title

On a ground where their dominance has become almost ritualistic, Pakistan once again proved too clinical, too composed, and far too superior for a stuttering Indian side that imploded under pressure. A magical first over from Wasim Akram—wicketless till this game—was the spark, and the flame of Indian resistance never truly caught on. Pakistan completed a thumping victory, chasing down a modest target of 126 with 132 balls to spare, clinching their tenth title at Sharjah in the process.

The Fiery Wasim Akram 

India’s innings was over before it ever found rhythm. Inserted under the floodlights, they began with trepidation and never recovered from Wasim Akram’s opening burst. After a quiet first two deliveries, the maestro produced two balls that would’ve dismissed far better batsmen than Sadagoppan Ramesh and Rahul Dravid. Ramesh nicked off to a sharp outswinger; Dravid, India’s batting fulcrum, was trapped in front by one that tailed in late. It was fast bowling at its poetic best—late movement, precise lengths, and the kind of control that only Akram could summon in such conditions.

From there, the innings unravelled like a fraying thread. Ganguly, standing tall at one end, scratched out a 50 that was more of a trench battle than fluent artistry. He faced 83 deliveries, struck just three boundaries, and spent much of his stay watching partners depart in haste or confusion. Three batsmen were run out—products of poor calling and panic rather than pressure—marking this as one of India’s most amateurish batting displays in recent memory.

India’s final score—125 all out in 45 overs—was a testament to their disarray. This wasn’t so much a collapse as it was a surrender, a team caught between fear and miscalculation.

Pakistan’s chase was the polar opposite—calm, professional, and ruthless. Shahid Afridi gave them a customary early jolt with a quick cameo, but it was Inzamam-ul-Haq who provided the spine of the chase. His unbeaten 39 off 38 balls reflected the ease with which Pakistan approached the target. There was no need for aggression—just accumulation and control.

Ajit Agarkar, who had promised much at the start of his international career, endured a brutal outing. His five overs went for 51, sprayed with inconsistency and punished accordingly. He struggled to find a length and never once looked like troubling the Pakistani batters. The contrast with Wasim was stark—one bowler announcing himself with thunder, the other disappearing with a whimper.

For Pakistan, the win reinforced their command over subcontinental showdowns in Sharjah—a venue that often feels like a second home. For India, it was a match that once again raised uncomfortable questions about temperament, planning, and the ability to handle pressure in high-stakes encounters.

As Wasim Akram led his team off the field, ball in hand and smile intact, there was a sense of symmetry—Sharjah, the scene of so many Pakistani triumphs, had once again danced to his tune.

Thank You 

Faisal Caesar