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Australia v Pakistan: Imran, Sarfraz, Javed and Gilly all played major roles in memorable Tests

Wins may have been few and far between in Australia but Pakistan has still provided the hosts with some stiff opposition over the years and featured in some memorable Tests. Here are five of them!

Cricketer Justin Langer with Adam Gilchrist celebrating their victory. Cricket - Australia vs Pakistan fifth day of Second Test match in Hobart 21 Nov 1999.
Cricketer Justin Langer with Adam Gilchrist celebrating their victory. Cricket - Australia vs Pakistan fifth day of Second Test match in Hobart 21 Nov 1999.

They find it hard to win but Pakistan have still featured in some of the most iconic Test encounters seen in Australia.

Sarfraz Nawaz, Imran Khan, Javed Miandad, Dennis Lillee and Adam Gilchrist all played a major part in stoking the rivalry.

Here are five of the best.

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The first Test win - - Sydney 1977

A young Imran took the Aussies apart in 1977.
A young Imran took the Aussies apart in 1977.

After arriving in Australia following a bitter dispute with their board, Pakistan drew the first Test in Adelaide before being belted in the second Test in Melbourne.

On a mottled pitch at the SCG however Sarfraz Nawaz and a previously unheralded Imran Khan rolled Australia for 211 after Greg Chappell opted to bat first.

Asif Iqbal, supported by Javed Miandad, made a century to put Pakistan in front and after Imran took 6-63 to claim 12 wickets for the Test, the tourists easily made the 32-run target to claim their first Test win on Australian soil by eight wickets.

Umpire Tony Crafter tries to calm down the Javed Miandad-Dennis Lillee spat.
Umpire Tony Crafter tries to calm down the Javed Miandad-Dennis Lillee spat.

The fight - Perth 1981

The result of the November 1981 Test at the WACA was a comfortable 286-run victory for Australia but it was an incident between Dennis Lillee and Javed Miandad which made the match memorable and infamous.

Miandad was Pakistan’s captain, an abrasive character leading a team divided.

Lillee was Australia’s snarling pace spearhead.

So when the pair collided as Miandad ran a single it sparked one of the most notorious on-field clashes in Test history.

It ended with umpire Tony Crafter standing between Lillee who was standing in a fighting stance as Miandad wielded his bat menacingly.

After arguments between both teams, Lillee was fined and banned for two one-day internationals while Miandad received no punishment.

Langer and Gilchrist were the heroes of the 1999 Hobart miracle.
Langer and Gilchrist were the heroes of the 1999 Hobart miracle.

The Gilchrist arrival - Hobart 1999

Playing in his second Test, Adam Gilchrist produced the innings that would send him on the path to become a genuine superstar as Australia completed an unlikely comeback in Hobart.

With a pace attack featuring Wasim Akram, Waqar Younis as well as Shoaib Akhtar and tricky spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, Australia’s hopes of chasing down 369 for victory seemed impossible when Gilchrist joined Justin Langer at the crease at 5-126.

Cue Gilchrist belting an unbeaten 149 off 163 deliveries as he and Langer (127) shared a 238-run partnership to take Australia to a remarkable four-wicket victory.

Nathan Hauritz helped inspire the incredible win of 2010.
Nathan Hauritz helped inspire the incredible win of 2010.

The tainted Test - Sydney 2010

Australia looked dead and buried when they arrived at the SCG ahead of day four. Having conceded a 206-run first innings deficit, Australia had an 80-run lead with just two second innings wickets remaining.

But Pakistan oddly began the day with defensive fields, wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal had already dropped Michael Hussey three times the day before and the Australian would go on to make a century in a 123-run ninth-wicket partnership with Peter Siddle.

Nathan Hauritz then took five wickets as Pakistan collapsed to be all out for 139 and slip to a 36-run defeat.

The game has since been tainted with allegations of match-fixing, although nothing has ever been proven.

Asad Shafiq nearly helped Pakistan to victory at the Gabba in 2016.
Asad Shafiq nearly helped Pakistan to victory at the Gabba in 2016.

The narrow escape - Brisbane 2016

Australia looked home and hosed after first-innings centuries to Steve Smith and Peter Handscomb helped them establish a commanding 287 first innings lead.

After scoring 5-202 at five an over Australia declared their second innings to set Pakistan a world-record 490 for victory.

Even with Asad Shafiq unbeaten on 100 heading into day five, Pakistan were still 108 behind their target with just two wickets remaining.

Shafiq, however, batted on, and the target went below 50 without a wicket falling.

Just as a remarkable win loomed Shafiq fell for 137 and then captain Smith threw down the stumps to run out Yasir Shah.

Australia had won and Pakistan had fallen by just 39 runs after making 450.

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Original URL: https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/sport/cricket/australia-v-pakistan-imran-sarfraz-javed-and-gilly-all-played-major-roles-in-memorable-tests/news-story/9f4e41aec518e836e8ec54df07b334a5