AUSTRALIA v PAKISTAN 1983-84

At Adelaide, December 9, 10, 11, 12, 13. Drawn. The match produced one of the more remarkable recoveries in modern Test cricket as Pakistan moved to within measurable distance of beating Australia on the last day. Rackemann was unfit to play for Australia, while Pakistan brought in both their reinforcements from the sub-continent, Sarfraz and Salim Malik, the latter having arrived in Australia only two days before the match.

Australia chose to bat on a pitch with enough moisture in it to help the seam bowlers on the first day. Phillips was soon out, but Wessels, when 7, and Yallop, before he had scored, were both dropped off Sarfraz. Wessels went on to reach 179, his highest Test score (one 6, 23 4s) in 330 minutes, a great proportion of his runs coming off his favourite square-cut. Sarfraz was the best of Pakistan's bowlers and could have had five wickets on the first day, at the end of which Australia were 376 for five.

Pakistan looked a better side on the second day when they claimed Australia's last five first-innings wickets for 89 runs. They were then given a good start, Qasim Omar batting beautifully and taking the initiative away from the bowlers. When 52, Qasim was given out, caught at forward short leg, but Wessels, the fielder, indicated that the ball had bounced and the decision was reversed. Qasim's driving was very good, and he and Mohsin Khan put on a record 233 for the second wicket before both were out to the second new ball. Qasim's 113, his first Test hundred, took 283 minutes and included twelve 4s. Mohsin's 149 came in 392 minutes with sixteen 4s, mostly handsome strokes off the back foot. Miandad played an unusually restrained innings and found a good partner in Salim Malik. Together they put on 186, a record for the fifth wicket, and assured Pakistan of a worthwhile lead of 159. Pakistan's total was their highest against Australia, and the most runs conceded by Australia since The Oval Test of 1938 (903 for seven declared). Lillee was the best of the Australian bowlers, taking six for 171 on an easy paced pitch.