OTD | Pakistan beat Australia in a Test after 15 years in 2010

On 24 July 2010, Pakistan registered a famous victory in their cricket history, defeating Australia for the first time in 15 years. The Men in Green won by three wickets in a tense fourth-day finish at Headingley thanks to an extraordinary effort by the bowlers in the first innings and the batters, for holding their nerves, in the second innings. 

Australia, who opted to bat first in the second and final Test, got off to a horrible start. The Pakistani pacers crushed them as they were restricted to 88 runs in the first innings. Mohammad Amir and Mohammad Asif took three wickets each, while Umar Gul grabbed two. Australia’s top scorer was Tim Paine who scored 17 runs.

Pakistan, in reply, scored 258 and put them well ahead in the contest. Openers Imran Farhat and Salman Butt set the ton with an 80-run partnership. The middle-order carried the momentum forwards with brief vital contributions. Shane Watson was pick of the bowlers for Australia as the fast-bowling all-rounder took six wickets. 

Australia give Pakistan a tough fight in second innings  

However, the Australian batters fought back in the second innings to post 349 runs on the board. Half-centuries from Michael Clarke, captain Ricky Ponting and Steve Smith were the main forces behind their redemption. Mohammad Amir once again shined with four wickets. Asif and spinner Danish Kaneria took two wickets each. 

Chasing 180 in the final innings, Pakistan were forced to make their way very hard by the Aussie bowlers. Salman Butt departed cheaply early on this time. However, his partner Farhat and Azhar Ali stitched a 110-run partnership for the second wicket. Pakistan were in the driver’s seat but soon fell off the track. 

The Aussie bowlers made a brilliant comeback by taking four wickets for 40 runs. However, their lower order held their nerve and took the team over the line t0 level the two-match series 1-1. It was Doug Bollinger and Ben Hilfenhaus who raised the blood pressure in the Pak camp by taking consecutive wickets. 

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