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

On this day 13 years ago, Pakistan Cricket Team created history by defeating Australia by three wickets. It was their first victory over the Aussies in 15 years. They last won against Australia in 1995. The Asian giants ended their 15-year losing streak against the Oz. 

It was a horrible start for the Aussies after winning the toss as Pakistan seamers Mohammad Asif, Mohammad Amir and Umar Gul caused mayhem on the Australian squad as they blew them away for just 88 runs. It was also Australia’s lowest first-innings score in five decades. Asif and Amir managed to get three wickets each, while Gul had two to his name.

Pakistan’s lower order shined to their victory

In response, Pakistan scored 258 runs before being bowled out and grabbed control of the match on Day 2 with a whopping 170-run lead. Australia did well in their second innings as they scored 349 runs courtesy of Ricky Ponting, who scored 66, along with Micheal Clarke and Steve Smith, who scored 77 each.

In the fourth innings, Pakistan needed 180 runs to win and scored 137 runs for the loss of three wickets. However, Pakistan’s batting order quickly crumbled, as they lost four wickets for 40 runs. Finally, Mohammad Amir and Umar Gul led Pakistan past the finish line. Gul got the game-winning run off Mitchell Johnson’s bowling.

They tied the two-match series 1-1 after winning the game at Leeds. Australia had won the first Test match of the series by a margin of 150 runs. Following that setback, Pakistan skipper Shahid Afridi announced his retirement from red-ball cricket, and Salman Butt was named as the team’s new captain.

In the first Test, the Australian side collapsed for 127 in the first innings, leaving Pakistan with a target of 176 in the fourth innings. It was their best opportunity to end a winless run against Australia since their last win in Sydney in 1995. The openers added a brisk 34 but wickets fell in clusters thereafter and Pakistan were bundled out for just 139.