LONDON: Pakistan’s Test history in England is filled with memorable moments, from a breakthrough victory in their first tour to commanding performances at some of cricket’s most famous venues.
Ahead of another three-Test series between the sides, beginning at Headingley on August 19, here are five Pakistan victories that have left a lasting mark on the rivalry.
The Oval, 1954 — Pakistan win by 24 runs
Pakistan’s first Test victory in England remains one of the most important in the country’s cricket history.
Defending just 168 at The Oval, Pakistan bowled England out for 143 as Fazal Mahmood delivered a masterclass in seam bowling.
Fazal claimed 6-53 in the first innings and 6-46 in the second to finish with extraordinary match figures of 12-99. Pakistan’s 24-run victory levelled the four-Test series 1-1 on their first tour of England, only two years after gaining Test status.
Headingley, 1987 — Pakistan win by an innings and 18 runs
More than three decades later, Imran Khan inspired one of Pakistan’s most dominant away victories.
England were dismissed for 136 before Pakistan responded with 353, led by Saleem Malik’s 99 and Ijaz Ahmed’s 50.
Imran then produced 7-40 in England’s second innings to complete match figures of 10-77 as the hosts were bowled out for 199.
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The innings-and-18-run victory proved decisive: the remaining Tests were drawn and Pakistan secured their first Test series triumph in England, 1-0.
The Oval, 1992 — Pakistan win by 10 wickets
Pakistan’s celebrated pace combination of Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis dominated the deciding Test of the 1992 tour.
England managed only 207 and 174 as Wasim collected nine wickets across the match and Waqar six.
Pakistan replied with 380 before needing only two runs for victory, completing a 10-wicket triumph and sealing the five-Test series 2-1.
Wasim finished the series with 21 wickets while Waqar took 22, underlining the effectiveness of one of Test cricket’s most feared fast-bowling partnerships.
Lord’s, 2016 — Pakistan win by 75 runs
Pakistan returned to Lord’s in 2016 and produced another memorable performance.
Captain Misbah-ul-Haq scored 114 in Pakistan’s first innings of 339, but leg-spinner Yasir Shah ultimately decided the contest.
Yasir took six wickets in England’s first innings and four more in the second, finishing with 10-141 as England were dismissed for 207 while chasing 283.
Pakistan won by 75 runs, giving them a 1-0 series lead at the Home of Cricket.
Lord’s, 2018 — Pakistan win by nine wickets
Two years later, Pakistan again stunned England at Lord’s, this time through a disciplined all-round display.
Mohammad Abbas and Hasan Ali took four wickets each as England were dismissed for 184. Pakistan responded with 363, with Babar Azam making 68, Asad Shafiq 59 and Shadab Khan 52.
Abbas and Mohammad Amir then claimed four wickets apiece as England fell for 242.
Pakistan chased the 64-run target for the loss of just one wicket, completing a commanding nine-wicket victory. Abbas earned Player of the Match honours after taking eight wickets for only 64 runs.
From Fazal Mahmood to Mohammad Abbas, Pakistan’s greatest victories in England have repeatedly been built around bowlers capable of mastering English conditions — a tradition the current side will hope to continue this summer.
