On this day in 1998: Australia’s first-ever Test win in Pakistan
Australia visited Pakistan earlier this year and came out on top 1-0 in the three-match series. It was their first-ever visit to Pakistan after a long wait of 24 years and they still succeeded in keeping their record in red-ball cricket intact in the country.
Meanwhile, when the Aussies had visited Pakistan in the 1998/99 season, they came out on top in the Test series and it was on this very day 24 years ago, that the Australian team led by Mark Taylor registered their maiden Test win over there.
Australia’s maiden Test victory on Pakistan soil
The Australians had a point to prove on this tour. Even though were a world-beating side in Tests, their series defeat in India had pointed out their vulnerability in Asian conditions. Moreover, the Aussie were without the legendary leg-spinner Shane Warne who had undergone shoulder surgery.
The two teams locked horns in the first Test in Rawalpindi. Batting first Pakistan posted 269 courtesy of an outstanding 145 from Saeed Anwar. The hosts were reduced to 147/8 before a 120-run ninth-wicket stand rescued them from being bowled out cheaply. Stuart MacGill registered a fifer to finish with figures of 5/66.
Australia in their first innings showed fearless intent and ended up posting a mammoth 513 riding on centuries from Michael Slater (103) and Steve Waugh’s 157. Wasim Akram took a three-wicket haul while Mohammad Hussain and the lethal spin duo of Mushtaq Ahmed and Saqlain Mushtaq took two wickets each.
Pakistan lost the plot after the Australian first innings and they had to get past a 244-run deficit and more runs if they were to challenge the visitors in the second innings. However, that was not to be as the hosts showcased a forgettable batting performance in their second innings. Only Saleem Malik scored an unbeaten 52 and apart from him, it was a sorry-looking scorecard for the Pakistanis as none of them could surpass the 20-run mark and the team was eventually bundled out for just 145.
Thus, Australia took a 1-0 lead in the series by the virtue of this win by an innings and 99 runs. MacGill was once again the star of the bowlers with figures of 4/47. He finished with nine wickets in the contest.
