Every so often something happens which has a lasting effect on the course of future events. The second test match between England and Pakistan in 1982 at Lord’s was one of them. It changed the psychic of both teams and Pakistan which had never won a series in England before 1982, has not lost a series since this match. Yes, many other factors have contributed to Pakistan’s overall superior record over England in England since 1982 but this match helped Pakistan cross that psychological barrier of believing that they could beat England.
Pakistan arrived at Lord’s having lost the first test at Edgbaston by 113 runs. The English team was full of confidence.
Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat. Mohsin promptly went on to score 200 supported along the way by Mansoor Akhtar (57) and Zaheer Abbas (75). Pakistan declared at 428 for 8.
The real drama began on the morning of the fourth day. England were 226 for 9, requiring another 3 runs to avoid the follow on with Gatting and Jackman at the crease. Gatting was to face the first over bowled by Imran and the general feeling was that as Gatting was facing England will be able to score the 3 runs and thereby save the follow on. On the third ball Gatting took a single and exposed Jackman to Imran. The Pakistani team could not believe their luck that Gatting had made such a huge mistake especially as only 3 runs were required. The last ball of Imran Khan’s over was a perfect yorker and Jackman was plumb LBW. England were all out for 227. Pakistan enforced the follow on. As Jackman’s wicket fell, the Pakistani crowd at the stadium erupted and the noise for the next 10 minutes was deafening. Richie Benaud who was commentating on TV was amazed at the reaction of the Pakistani crowd and remarked at one stage “looking at the reaction of this crowd you would think it is not a cricket match but that they have won a war against England.” Little did he know?
The second innings started with much more drama. Imran and Sarfraz opened the bowling for Pakistan. After a few overs, Imran decided to change ends for Sarfraz and therefore gave Mudassar an over. What followed is now history and the golden arm of Mudassar was born. In his first over he bowled Randall for 9. England were 9/1. In the next over he took two wickets that of Lamb and Gower. England were 9/3. Panic in the English camp. What started as a relief over ended with innings figures of 19 overs, 7 maidens, 6 wickets for 32 runs. Botham with his 69 runs put up resistance while Tavare at the other end provided stubborn resistance.
The last day started with Tavare still there and he continued his stiff resistance. Mudassar accounted for Botham. Clouds were hanging around and rain was threatening. In the end England with some determined resistance from their tail enders and Tavare managed to overhaul Pakistan’s first innings score and began to build a lead. The Pakistani supporters were getting desperate as draw looked very much on the cards. Imran took the new ball and surprisingly threw it to Qadir. England at this stage were 276 for 9, a lead of 75. The remaining overs left in the match were 18. Qadir started his over with the new ball and on the last ball of his over Jackman gave a bat, pad catch to silly point (Haroon Rasheed, the current manager of the Pakistani team). The Pakistani crowd were overjoyed.
Two overs were deducted for the changeover so Pakistan had to score 75 runs in 15 overs. A tall order in those days. All the Pakistani supporters were hoping for Javed to open the innings with Mohsin instead of Mudassar. The sight of seeing Javed and Mohsin walking out to open the innings heartened the supporters.
The clouds by this time were really threatening. The light was deteriorating fast and at one stage the umpires offered the light to Javed who just laughed and refused to go off. He said afterwards that he would have batted even if it was pitch dark. Botham slowed down his overs hoping that rain will intervene and save England but to no avail. Both Mohsin and Javed set about scoring the runs in a really professional manner and at the start of the 14 over, Javed hit Hemmings for a 4. Pakistan had won, the crowd erupted, Javed jumped ten feet in the air, and Mohsin was in sajda. Pakistan had achieved a remarkable victory. 5 minutes after Pakistan won the match heavy downpour started.
The match was remarkable for the following reason:
• It changed the psychic of the Pakistani team and we have not lost a series since than to England in England
• Mohsin scored a historic 200 at Lords
• Gatting made a huge blunder and took the single when 3 runs were required to save follow on and virtually handed the match to Pakistan
• Mudassar Nazar’s golden arm was discovered quite by accident and after that he became a regular bowler for Pakistan.
I was lucky enough to watch the first 4 days of this match on TV and on the last day at the ground.
:k: