Pakistan’s cricket history is marked by exceptional middle-order batsmen, including legends like Younis Khan, Inzamam-ul-Haq, and Javed Miandad. These players, alongside Asad Shafiq and current wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Rizwan, have delivered remarkable performances in tough Test matches.
Here, we highlight the five top fifth-wicket partnerships by Pakistani batsmen in Test cricket.
5. Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan – 240 vs Bangladesh, 2024
Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel Highest Fifth-Wicket
In the first Test of Pakistan’s 2024 home series against Bangladesh, Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan rescued their team from a tough spot. Pakistan’s top order faltered early, collapsing to 16-3 and then 114-4. Shakeel and Rizwan stepped up to counter the aggressive Bangladeshi pace bowlers.
Both players scored impressive centuries and combined for a crucial 240-run partnership. Their efforts helped Pakistan surpass the 350-run mark, though the team did lose another wicket later on.
ALSO READ: Top 5 Players with Numerous European Golden Boot Awards
4. Asad Shafiq and Shoaib Malik – 248 vs England, 2015
Shoaib Malik goes over the top against England
In the first Test of England’s 2015 tour of the UAE, Pakistan ended the opening day strongly at 286-4. On the second day, Shoaib Malik and Asad Shafiq, who were unbeaten at 251-4, extended Pakistan’s total to 499-5 with impressive calm and accuracy.
Both players scored impressive centuries, with Malik achieving a career-high Test score of 245. Their partnership of 248 runs for the fifth wicket helped secure a high-scoring draw at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi.
3. Inzamam-ul-Haq and Saleem Malik – 258 vs New Zealand, 1994
In early 1994, the Pakistan cricket team, captained by Saleem Malik, visited New Zealand for a three-Test series. During the second Test in Wellington, Malik and the young Inzamam-ul-Haq formed a formidable partnership, scoring 258 runs for the fifth wicket and giving Pakistan a commanding 373-run lead in their first innings. Malik scored 140 runs from 200 balls, hitting 20 fours, while Inzamam contributed 135 runs from 195 balls, with 19 boundaries and a six.
After Malik was dismissed by Matthew Hart, he promptly declared the innings at 548-5. This partnership was Pakistan’s highest fifth-wicket stand in away Tests for over 17 years and played a crucial role in securing a win and a 2-0 series lead.
ALSO READ: Top 5 Best Defenders at Euro 2024
2. Asad Shafiq and Younis Khan – 259 vs Bangladesh, 2011
Younis Khan celebrating his double ton
In the first Test of the 2011 series in Chattogram, Pakistan’s middle-order batsmen Asad Shafiq and Younis Khan decisively defeated Bangladesh. After taking a 176-run lead in the first innings, Khan and Shafiq combined forces when Pakistan was at 311-4 on the second day.
Their partnership, which added 259 runs, extended Pakistan’s lead to 459 runs, further stressing the Bangladeshi side. Shafiq’s dismissal for 104 led Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq to declare at 594-5. Khan, who remained unbeaten with 200* off 290 balls, was named ‘Player of the Match’ as Pakistan won the Test by an innings and 184 runs.
1. Asif Iqbal and Javed Miandad – 281 vs New Zealand, 1976
During their 1976 home Test series in Lahore, Pakistan struggled early, falling to 55-4 in their first innings against New Zealand. By the end of the first day, they had recovered to 349-7. Middle-order batsmen Javed Miandad and Asif Iqbal both scored 160 runs, combining for a 281-run partnership for the fifth wicket, helping Pakistan reach 336.
Pakistan was eventually all out for 417, a total that proved sufficient for a six-wicket victory by Day 4, putting them ahead 1-0 in the three-match series. Notably, the partnership between Asif Iqbal and Javed Miandad remains Pakistan’s highest fifth-wicket stand to this day.
READ MORE:
