Australia-Pakistan rivalry: Australia and Pakistan have played 107 ODIs. Pakistan has won 34 of these 107 matches, while Australia has won 69. Three games ended in draws. One match was a tie.
Here are five historic events of time between Pakistan and Australia matches.
The sensation of Sarfraz (15 March 1979)
Pakistan’s fast bowler Sarfraz Nawaz stunned Australia’s batting team in Melbourne with 9-86, including a run-out.
Read More: The biggest upsets in the ODI World Cup’s history
Sarfraz, who had a great new-ball relationship with Imran Khan and was one of the first to learn reverse swing, caused a collapse as Australia was cruising to 382 to win.
Pakistan triumphed by 71 runs when the hosts fell in Sarfraz’s session, concluding the fourth day at 7 for 1 from 33 balls, 305-3 to 310 all out.
Lillee-Miandad battle (November 16, 1981)
Australia’s Dennis Lillee and Pakistan’s famous batsman Javed Miandad came close to clashing in a Test match in Perth, one of the ugliest cricket scenes ever.
When Pakistan needed 543 to win, then-captain Miandad crashed into Lillee while trying to score. Pakistan was in grave danger at 27-2.
After a brief conversation, Lillee kicked Miandad in the pads. When the skipper lifted his bat and appeared to hit the bowler, Tony Crafter stood in between them.
Australian management said Lillee was provoked despite his two-match ODI suspension and fine.
Mujtaba six (December 6, 1992)
Though less famous than Miandad, Asif Mujtaba’s innings-ending six off Steve Waugh will always be remembered for his 66 one-day internationals for Pakistan.
In a tri-series match in Hobart, Pakistan was down to 197-7 when Rashid Latif quit, but left-hander Mujtaba bravely batted his way to victory with 229.
The penultimate delivery from Mujtaba hit Waugh for seven, with 17 needed from the last over. The hitter hit a six to equalize the score, with seven needed.
Warne power (June 20, 1999)
In the 1999 World Cup final at Lord’s, the champion leg-spinner Shane Warne, who passed away, showed his ability to rise to the occasion with numbers of 4-33.
Pakistan won the toss and batted first, but the Australian fast bowlers put Pakistan on the back foot with early hits before Warne.
He bowled Pakistan’s top scorer, Ijaz Ahmed, out for 22 as he tore through the middle order, reducing Pakistan to 132 for 39 overs.
With eight wickets left, Australia won their second World Cup in 29.5 overs.
Wahab’s spell (March 20, 2015)
Australia won the 2015 World Cup quarterfinal in Adelaide, but Pakistani fast bowler Wahab Riaz’s explosive session that tested Shane Watson’s pace and bounce will be remembered.
Left arm fast Riaz stunned Australia with two important blows in a modest 214 chase before Watson and Maxwell took charge.
Wahab delivered bouncer after bouncer at around 150 km/h, testing Watson. One bouncer passed the batsman’s helmet grill and received a cynical clap and dark smile.
Even though Watson won by six wickets to lead Australia to a second win and the semi-finals, many fans remember the match.
Share this content: