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
