Highest Run Chase in Test by Pakistan

When it comes to thrilling fourth innings chases, Pakistan has produced some brilliant rearguard heists over the years against top opponents. From Hanif Mohammad to Babar Azam, Pakistani batsmen have conquered imposing run targets with skill and tenacity.

In this article, we revisit some of the highest run chases in test history or chestrated by the Pakistani cricket team over the decades. Get ready to relive the batting exploits that defined generations of defiant Pakistani fourth innings chasers.

1. Pakistan (377/6) vs Sri Lanka, Pallekele, 2015

The highest fourth innings chase by Pakistan in a test match came against Sri Lanka at Pallekele in 2015.

Responding to Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 292, Pakistan scored 465 powered by centuries from Misbah and Shafiq. Sri Lanka then batted again and declared at 413/5, setting an unlikely 377 run target.

But Pakistan was up for the challenge as opener Shan Masood scored 125 while skipper Misbah hammered a brilliant unbeaten 110 to steer Pakistan to a sensational 6 wicket win.

Chasing such a huge 4th innings target highlighted Pakistan’s gusty approach and self-belief which laid the seeds for more audacious chases.

2. Highest Run Chase in Test by Pakistan (344/3) vs India at Rawalpindi in 2004

During the 2004 tour of India, Pakistan incredibly chased down a mammoth target of 344 with 7 wickets in hand at Rawalpindi.

India had scored a massive first innings total of 600 built around Sehwag’s historic triple ton. Pakistan responded strongly with 531 to avoid the follow-on. India then batted again setting Pakistan 345 to win.

But opener Bazid Khan (108) and Yasir Hameed (104) blunted the Indian attack during a 203 run opening stand. Yousuf Youhana then guided Pakistan home with an unbeaten 97 sealing a memorable record chase.

Also Check: Highest Run Chase in Test by India

3. Pakistan (314/4) vs Australia, Karachi, 1994

One of Pakistan’s most thrilling fourth innings heists came against Australia at Karachi in 1994. After conceding over 300 in the first innings, Pakistan were staring down the barrel.

But opener Saeed Anwar produced a majestic innings of 176 to setup a record chase of 314 runs. Stalwarts Saleem Malik and Inzamam ul Haq then batted boldly on day 5 to lead Pakistan to a sensational 4 wicket victory.

Chasing over 300 in the fourth innings against the likes of Warne and McGrath made this heist even more remarkable.

4. Pakistan (304/4) vs Sri Lanka, Pallekele, 2015

During Pakistan’s 2015 tour of Sri Lanka, they incredibly chased down 304 runs in the fourth innings again at Pallekele.

After Sri Lanka declared their first innings at 282/6, Pakistan managed 227 in response to concede a sizeable lead. But Sri Lanka seemed to bat casually before declaring again at 313/5 setting Pakistan 305 to win.

The Pakistan openers Azhar Ali and Shan Masood set the platform with a 147-run stand. Skipper Misbah then smashed a match-winning 110 to steer Pakistan home to a historic 6 wicket triumph.

5. Pakistan (294/4) vs South Africa, Port Elizabeth 2007

An away chase versus South Africa at such ease reinforced Pakistan’s pedigree as audacious chasers. At Port Elizabeth in 2007, Pakistan successfully chased down 294 thanks to a captain’s knock from Inzamam Haq scoring 138 not out.

After South Africa’s first innings of 373 powered by Gibbs’ 183, Pakistan found themselves trailing by 84 runs in their first innings. But magnificent centuries from Younis Khan and Inzamam in the second innings scripted a memorable 4 wicket win.

For Pakistan to conquer South Africa in their backyard highlighted the depth of their batting prowess.

Historic Fourth Innings Chases

Besides the highest run chases listed above, Pakistan has produced several other historic fourth innings batting performances:

At Karachi in 1969, Hanif Mohammad’s marathon 187 steered Pakistan to 344/3 and a win over New Zealand while chasing 314 runs in the final innings.
Pakistan chased down 262/7 at Sharjah in 2002 thanks to Inzamam’s unbeaten 117 to stun South Africa.
Younis Khan smashed a brilliant 104 at Abu Dhabi in 2014 to enable Pakistan to chase down 354/6 and whitewash Australia 2-0 away from home.

So whether modest or monumental, Pakistan’s batsmen have shown the determination and techniques to conquer fourth innings targets across conditions.

Greatest Pakistan Fourth Innings Batters

Now let’s look at some of the stalwart Pakistani batsmen whose fourth innings heroics engineered many stirring victories over the decades:

Hanif Mohammad

The original maestro Pakistan opener played pivotal knocks in fourth innings chases like the stoic 12 hour 187 versus England at Lords to save the match in 1962. Also a crisis management expert.

Zaheer Abbas

One of Pakistan’s most graceful batters, his fourth innings exploits included a memorable 274 not out against England at the Oval in 1971. Glorious to watch in full flow.

Javed Miandad

A fighter to the core, Miandad relished tough chases smashing centuries like the valiant 143 against India at Bangalore in 1987 to win the historic last-ball thriller.

Inzamam ul Haq

Inzy dazzled with his wristy strokeplay during the 1990s and was the guiding force in fourth innings pursuits, evident from several match-winning knocks including the famous 2006 Karachi test win over India while chasing 168.

Younus Khan

Boasting immense concentration prowess, Younus was pivotal to Pakistan’s fourth innings successes from 2000s onwards including heists like the unbeaten 131 against Sri Lanka in 2015 to chase down 377.

So these were some of Pakistan’s fourth innings legends over the years who conquered testing targets with skill and doggedness against top class attacks. Their batting feats engineered many rear guard triumphs and memorable heists.

Evolution of Pakistan’s Fourth Innings Batting Approach

Looking back, Pakistan’s test run chasing approach has evolved considerably over time:

Cautious accumulation focused on survival prevailed until the late 1970s.
Imran Khan’s leadership in 1980s instilled greater belief although collapses remained an issue.
The 90s batting lineup under Wasim Akram saw flair players like Anwar, Ijaz Ahmed take risks.
Under Inzamam in 2000s, Pakistan became more combative chasers backed by coach Bob Woolmer’s aggressive cricket philosophy.
2010 onwards, with Misbah and now Babar Azam as captains, Pakistan has adopted largely fearless modern dynamic approach when chasing down targets.

So from being conservative and defensive starters, Pakistan has transformed into an enterprising run-chasing test outfit in the modern era.

X-Factor Batters Who Boosted Scoring Rates

While doggedness defined Pakistan’s test batting for long periods, there were audacious batters who boosted the scoring rate during chases with their cavalier approach:

Majid Khan was one of the most attractive stroke-makers, taking the attack back to the likes of Lillee and Thomson fearlessly.
Imran Khan’s explosive style was perfectly suited for upping the ante and injecting momentum into the innings.
Shahid Afridi, though mercurial, could change games rapidly with his big hitting.
Abdul Razzaq’s power hitting abilities added huge value to the depth in lower middle order.

So these mavericks brought the X-factor to Pakistan’s batting adding impetus whenever the situation demanded during various memorable fourth innings chases over the years.

Famous Rear Guard Stands While Chasing

Pakistan has produced many tenacious batsmen adept at stonewalling for survival, allowing the strokemakers to play freely at the other end during chases.

Some famous Pakistan rearguard stands:

Hanif Mohammad and his brother Wazir manned the trenches for 59.3 overs against England at Lord’s to secure a draw in 1962.
Javed Miandad and Iqbal Qasim’s partnership of 171 balls helped Pakistan draw the contentious Karachi test versus India in 1979.
Younis Khan and Misbah’s alliance of 214 balls was pivotal to Pakistan saving the 2014 Sharjah test against New Zealand.

So through adversity, gritty Pakistani batsmen have often stood tall to defy lethal attacks and secured fighting draws or narrow wins for their team. Stubborn as camels is an apt phrase!

Captains Who Shaped Pakistan’s Fourth Innings Approach

The journey from being tentative chasers to audacious hunters has been shaped by inspirational leadership that Pakistan captains offered:

Imran Khan – Made Pakistan believe they could beat any team, powering historic wins over England and India through brilliant bowling strategies.
Javed Miandad – The backbone of Pakistan batting for two decades, his never say die attitude was infectious during the crucial 80s-90s transition.
Wasim Akram – Encouraged expressive batting under his captaincy in the 90s taking risks that made fourth innings chases exciting.
Inzamam ul Haq – His calculated assault approach during final days produced some of Pakistan’s greatest heists like Karachi 2006 versus India.
Misbah ul Haq – Shepherded a fragile side post the 2010s spot-fixing saga masterminding Pakistan’s ascendance as a top test team again built around their chasing skills.

So the captaincy transition aligned with batsmen gaining belief to take on difficult fourth innings targets without fear of failure.

Conclusion

In summary, Pakistan has successfully managed to transition from being tentative fourth innings starters into a feisty run-chasing test outfit. Each generation since Hanif Mohammad in the 1950s built on the efforts of their predecessors.

With a new battalion of talent led by Babar Azam, fans will hope Pakistan can continue to make giant strides as challengers. For now, their historic successful chases against top teams are worthy of celebration.

So it will be fascinating to see what the next decade holds for Pakistan cricket as this evolution story continues to unfold on the test arena!