OTD | Pakistan completed the fastest chase of 300 plus total in Test cricket against Sri Lanka in 2014

It was a big cold day in Sharjah 11 years ago on this day when Pakistan created history in Test cricket, by registering the fastest-ever chase of a 300+ total in the fourth innings. This historic Test match was played at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium from January 16 to January 20. 

The then Sri Lanka skipper won the toss and decided to bat first. Batting first, the Islanders declared their innings at the score of 428 runs, losing 9 wickets in the first innings. Skipper Angelo Mathews scored 91 runs followed by Dilruwan Perera’s 95 runs. Besides these two, the ‘number 3’ batting great Kumar Sangakkara also scored 52 runs. 

In response to Sri Lanka’s first innings, Pakistan scored 341 runs courtesy of Ahmed Shehzad’s amazing century (147 runs) following Khurram Manzoor’s 52 runs. Later, skipper Misbah-ul-Haq also scored 63 runs off 113 balls, with four and three sixes. 

Azhar Ali’s century helped Pakistan execute a historic run-chase

Furthermore, in the second innings, Pakistan bowlers bundled out Sri Lanka at the score of 214 runs, setting a target of 302 runs in the fourth innings. Abdur Rehman scalped 4 wickets in the second innings, alongside three wickets each bagged by Mohammad Talha and Saeed Ajmal. 

While chasing the target, Pakistan batters came up with a swashbuckling approach, especially the star number three batter Azhar Ali. He scored a match-winning century, scoring 103 runs off 137 balls, with six fours. Wicketkeeper-batter Sarfaraz Ahmed also scored crucial 48 runs off just 46 balls, with 4 fours and a six. 

Later in the end, skipper Misbah Ul Haq’s 72-ball 68-run knock played a decisive role in helping Pakistan chase down the target in just 57.3 overs, scoring 302 runs for the loss of 5 wickets and winning the game by 5 wickets. 

With this win in the third and last game of the three-match series, Pakistan managed to level the three-match Test series by 1-1, avoiding a series defeat. Azhar Ali won the ‘Player of the Match’ award for his match-defining century knock (103 runs) 

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