LONDON: Pakistan have repeatedly found match-winners in England, producing some of the most memorable individual performances in their Test history on tours stretching back more than seven decades.
As Pakistan prepare to return for a three-Test series beginning at Headingley on August 19, their past tours offer a rich catalogue of batting masterpieces and devastating bowling spells.
Fazal Mahmood’s Oval masterpiece
The story begins with Fazal Mahmood in 1954, only two years after Pakistan played their first Test. At The Oval, the fast bowler produced one of the defining performances of the country’s early cricket history.
Fazal took 6-53 in England’s first innings and 6-46 in the second, finishing with match figures of 12-99. His relentless bowling helped Pakistan win the Test and draw their first series in England 1-1.
The performance established Fazal as one of Pakistan’s earliest great fast-bowling match-winners.
Zaheer Abbas conquers Edgbaston
Seventeen years later, Zaheer Abbas announced himself spectacularly on English soil. Playing only his second Test, the elegant right-hander scored 274 at Edgbaston in 1971.
Zaheer faced 467 deliveries and helped Pakistan pile up 608-7 declared. His 274 remains the highest Test score by a Pakistan batter against England.
His success in English conditions continued three years later when he struck another double century, scoring 240 at The Oval in 1974.
Miandad leads 1987 batting dominance
Javed Miandad added another landmark in 1987. In the fifth Test at The Oval, he scored 260 from 521 balls as Pakistan amassed 708.
That tour ended with Pakistan winning the five-match series 1-0, a landmark series success in England.
Wasim and Waqar conquer England
Few Pakistani combinations have been as feared in England as Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis in 1992.
The pair took 43 wickets between them during the five-Test series as Pakistan won 2-1, with their pace and swing repeatedly troubling England’s batting line-up.
The same tour produced a breakthrough batting performance from Aamer Sohail, whose maiden Test century became a commanding 205 from 284 balls at Old Trafford.
At The Oval, Wasim claimed nine wickets in the match and Waqar six as Pakistan completed a 10-wicket victory to seal the series.
Yousuf shines at Lord’s
Mohammad Yousuf produced another classic at Lord’s in 2006, scoring 202 from 330 balls in the opening Test and helping Pakistan secure a draw.
Younis delivers at The Oval
A decade later, Younis Khan provided another unforgettable Oval performance.
Younis struck 218 from 308 balls as Pakistan made 542 before winning by 10 wickets to level the 2016 series 2-2.
From Fazal’s 1954 heroics to Younis’s 2016 double century, Pakistan’s history in England has repeatedly been shaped by players producing their finest cricket under pressure. As another series approaches, the current side has a distinguished legacy to follow.
