OTD| Javed Miandad, aged 19, became the youngest player to score a Test double-century in 1976

On this day Pakistan’s legendary batter Javed Miandad became the youngest player to score a double ton in Test cricket. He did this herculean task in Karachi against New Zealand. On a pitch that turned out to be a batting paradise, Miandad exploited the conditions to play a magical knock, a “test delight” as they say. 

Pakistan bat first

The Pakistan skipper Mushtaq Mohammad won the toss and elected to bat first on a batting-friendly pitch at the National Stadium in Karachi. Sadiq Mohammad and the experienced Majid Khan opened the innings for Pakistan. Both openers started decently. Their opening stand lasted for 147 runs before Majid Khan was dismissed by Richard Collinge. 

Miandad walks in

Zaheer Khan was also sent back quickly by the Kiwis and all of a sudden Pakistan was in a spot of bother. In walks young Javed Miandad with responsibility on his shoulders to stabilize the innings for his side. 

Opener Sadiq Mohammad got out soon after and Pakistan was 161/3 from 147/0. Javed Miandad along with his skipper Mushtaq Mohammad gave solidity to the crumbling Pakistan batting order. Both negotiated the Kiwi attack, led by Richard Hadlee, to progress the innings without losing any further wickets. This duo built a massive partnership of 252 runs putting Pakistan in a very comfortable position. 

Double Century

Javed Miandad completed his second ton of the career and continued to bat even after Mushtaq Mohammad was back in the pavilion. He went on to score a gritty double hundred and showed his class. What mattered the most was that Miandad stood strong when his team needed him the most. He was ultimately dismissed by Richard Collinge but he had already scored 206 runs. 

Pakistan eventually drew this match as New Zealand was an evenly matched side. The test finished without a result but will always be remembered for Javed Miandad’s heroics and his first double century.  

Also read: OTD| Sydney Sixers became the second Australian team to win the Champions League Twenty20 in 2012