Pakistan win Test over Australia in 15 years
Sunday, 25 July 2010
LEEDS, England, July 24 (AFP) - Pakistan held their nerve to claim a first Test victory against Australia in 15 years during a tense fourth-day finish at Headingley here Saturday.
Pakistan, set 180 to win, lost four wickets for 40 runs before finishing on 180 for seven and a three-wicket win as they levelled this two-Test series at 1-1.
Left-arm quick Mohammad Aamer was five not out and Umar Gul, who hit the winning run off Mitchell Johnson, one not out as Pakistan ended a run of 13 straight Test defeats by Australia - a record for one country against another.
Pakistan were still five short when Australia's Michael Hussey appealed for a gully catch against Kamran Akmal on 13, off the bowling of Mitchell Johnson but replays were inconclusive.
And then left-arm quick Mohammad Aamer, who took seven wickets in the match, edged Ben Hilfehnaus through the slips for four to tie the scores.
But there was one more twist with Kamran Akmal brilliantly caught by Hussey off Johnson and this time there was no doubt.
Gul, though, hammered his first ball from Johnson through the offside and Pakistan had won with more than a day and two sessions to spare.
It meant Salman Butt, who replaced Shahid Afridi as skipper after the all-rounder quit Tests after the 150-run series-opening loss at Lord's last week, tasted victory in his first Test as Pakistan captain.
"It was a bit nerve-wracking, when you have this added responsibility," Butt told reporters.
"You tend to think more, thank God it went positively and we won.
"It means a lot, it's a new beginning for Pakistan."
Left-arm quick Doug Bollinger, starting Friday, took three wickets for five runs in 17 balls on his way to three for 51 and Ben Hilfenhaus three for 39 but even Australia could not turn this match around.
Ultimately, Australia paid the price for being bowled out for just 88 in their first innings - their lowest Test total since they were dismissed for 76 by the West Indies at Perth in 1984.
Australia 1st innings:
Total: (all out; 33.1 overs) 88
Pakistan 1st innings:
Total: (all out; 64.5 overs) 258
Australia 2nd innings:
Extras: (b 4, lb 10, w 2, nb 8) 24 Total: (all out; 95.3 overs) 349
Extras: (lb 7, nb 5) 12 Pakistan 2nd innings:
Imran Farhat b Bollinger 67
Salman Butt c Clarke b Hilfenhaus 13
Azhar Ali c Paine b Bollinger 51
Umar Amin c Paine b Bollinger 0
Umar Akmal c Paine b Hilfenhaus 8
Shoaib Malik c North b Hilfenhaus 10
Kamran Akmal c Hussey b Johnson 13
Mohammad Aamer not out 5
Umar Gul not out 1
Extras: (lb 7, nb 5) 12 Total: (7 wickets; 50.4 overs) 180
Match details:
Toss: Australia, who chose to bat
Result: Pakistan won by 3 wickets
Series: 2-match series drawn 1-1
Players of the match: Mohammad Aamer (Pakistan) and SR Watson (Australia)
Pakistan, set 180 to win, lost four wickets for 40 runs before finishing on 180 for seven and a three-wicket win as they levelled this two-Test series at 1-1.
Left-arm quick Mohammad Aamer was five not out and Umar Gul, who hit the winning run off Mitchell Johnson, one not out as Pakistan ended a run of 13 straight Test defeats by Australia - a record for one country against another.
Pakistan were still five short when Australia's Michael Hussey appealed for a gully catch against Kamran Akmal on 13, off the bowling of Mitchell Johnson but replays were inconclusive.
And then left-arm quick Mohammad Aamer, who took seven wickets in the match, edged Ben Hilfehnaus through the slips for four to tie the scores.
But there was one more twist with Kamran Akmal brilliantly caught by Hussey off Johnson and this time there was no doubt.
Gul, though, hammered his first ball from Johnson through the offside and Pakistan had won with more than a day and two sessions to spare.
It meant Salman Butt, who replaced Shahid Afridi as skipper after the all-rounder quit Tests after the 150-run series-opening loss at Lord's last week, tasted victory in his first Test as Pakistan captain.
"It was a bit nerve-wracking, when you have this added responsibility," Butt told reporters.
"You tend to think more, thank God it went positively and we won.
"It means a lot, it's a new beginning for Pakistan."
Left-arm quick Doug Bollinger, starting Friday, took three wickets for five runs in 17 balls on his way to three for 51 and Ben Hilfenhaus three for 39 but even Australia could not turn this match around.
Ultimately, Australia paid the price for being bowled out for just 88 in their first innings - their lowest Test total since they were dismissed for 76 by the West Indies at Perth in 1984.
Australia 1st innings:
Total: (all out; 33.1 overs) 88
Pakistan 1st innings:
Total: (all out; 64.5 overs) 258
Australia 2nd innings:
Extras: (b 4, lb 10, w 2, nb 8) 24 Total: (all out; 95.3 overs) 349
Extras: (lb 7, nb 5) 12 Pakistan 2nd innings:
Imran Farhat b Bollinger 67
Salman Butt c Clarke b Hilfenhaus 13
Azhar Ali c Paine b Bollinger 51
Umar Amin c Paine b Bollinger 0
Umar Akmal c Paine b Hilfenhaus 8
Shoaib Malik c North b Hilfenhaus 10
Kamran Akmal c Hussey b Johnson 13
Mohammad Aamer not out 5
Umar Gul not out 1
Extras: (lb 7, nb 5) 12 Total: (7 wickets; 50.4 overs) 180
Match details:
Toss: Australia, who chose to bat
Result: Pakistan won by 3 wickets
Series: 2-match series drawn 1-1
Players of the match: Mohammad Aamer (Pakistan) and SR Watson (Australia)