On this day in 2000: West Indies thrillingly defeat Pakistan by one wicket
In a roller coaster of a Test match where fortunes fluctuated wildly, the West Indies cricket team beat the Pakistan side by just one wicket on 29th May 2000 at Antigua. West Indies won the toss and decided to field first. And, Pakistan was reduced to 33/3. But then, the legendary duo of Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Yousuf steadied the ship.
While Inzamam-ul-Haq scored 55 off 89 deliveries, Yousuf scored a flawless 231-ball 103* and Pakistan were bowled out with their scorecard reading 269 in the first innings. For West Indies, Courtney Walsh was the pick of the bowlers. The fast-bowling legend scalped 5 wickets, giving away 83 runs in the 26 overs that he bowled.
The West Indies replied with a total of 273. And, it was Shivnarine Chanderpaul who stood up to the likes of Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis and Saqlain Mushtaq. The left-hander scored a patient 89 to keep Pakistan at bay. Jimmy Adams provided support to Chanderpaul and scored 60 off 180 deliveries.
Left-arm pace bowling icon Wasim Akram scalped 6 wickets with the red cherry in hand, giving away 61 runs. In the second innings too, it was Inzamam-ul-Haq and Mohammad Yousuf who contributed vital runs. While Inzamam scored a classy 68, Yousuf scored a 175-ball 42 as Pakistan ended their innings with a total of 219.
That left West Indies with a target of 216 for victory. West Indies were cruising in their chase, with their scorecard reading 144/3, and it looked as if they would canter past the target with relative ease. But then, a flurry of wickets fell in quick succession, and the West Indies slipped to 197/9.
But then, Jimmy Adams held his nerve for the West Indies. He scored a patient 48* off 212 deliveries, and proved to be impenetrable. And, in the end, his resilience bore fruit, as West Indies went past the target with a solitary wicket intact. In the second innings too, the legendary Wasim Akram took a five-wicket haul.
And, even though his side ended up on the losing side, Wasim Akram was awarded the Player of the Match award for picking up a total of 11 wickets in the match.
