AUSTRALIA v PAKISTAN 1989-90

At Adelaide, January 19, 20, 21, 22, 23. Drawn. Toss: Pakistan. Pakistan were saved from seemingly imminent defeat, indeed provided with a chance of victory, by a great sixth-wicket second-innings partnership of 191 between Imran Khan and Wasim Akram. It was not the only highlight of an excellent Test match played on a pitch with more life in it than is usual at Adelaide.

Pakistan included in their side three players recently flown in from Karachi- Ramiz Raja and Salim Malik, who had been prevented through injury and illness from being among the original party, and Mushtaq Ahmed, a wrist-spinner. Australia made two changes from the side that won the First Test match, Campbell and Peter Taylor coming in for Alderman (groin strain) and Sleep. Before the start of play on the second day Sir Donald Bradman, looking in good shape in his 82nd year, opened a fine new stand, at the city end, named after him.

After starting with great gusto (91 for one after 22 overs) Pakistan, playing without due care off the back foot, subsided to 187 for six before Wasim made his first contribution towards what was to be a brilliant all-round performance, hitting 52 from 89 balls. He next took five wickets in Australia's first innings, including three in the last over to finish off the innings. Mark Taylor, however, and Jones had ensured Australia a useful lead by then, and when, in their second innings, Pakistan were reduced to 22 for four midway through the third afternoon by an accurately hostile opening spell from Hughes, the match looked to be as good as over. Had Imran not been dropped at short leg off Rackemann, Pakistan would have been 22 for five and virtually beyond recall.

Instead, he and Miandad stayed together for nearly three hours, and then Imran and Wasim each played the innings of his life, Imran's being a model of responsibility and orthodoxy, Wasim's a comparatively carefree exhibition of flair and fine driving. Imran batted for 485 minutes, Wasim for 244 minutes, and on-one else in the match hit the ball with anything like the same power as Wasim. There were eighteen fours and a six in his maiden Test hundred, while Imran hit ten fours.

With Salim Malik catching the mood, despite batting with a broken finger, Imran was able to make a challenging declaration 40 minutes into the last day, leaving Australia 304 to win in a minimum of 78 overs. Except while Mark Taylor and Jones were going well together after lunch, Australia, already one up in the series, always had an eye on the draw. This they achieved without too many alarms. The decisive moment came at 137 for four, when Jones survived a difficult return chance to Mushtaq. Using his feet well to the Pakistani spinners, Jones went on to become the first Australian to score two hundreds in an Adelaide Test match since Arthur Morris in 1946-47, and his unbeaten 121 contained a six and eleven fours. Until now his best score in eight Test innings against Pakistan had been 21 not out. Marsh, who broke his thumb catching Ijaz Ahmed on the first day, did not bat in the second innings.

Man of the Match: Wasim Akram.

Close of play: First day, Australia 10-0 ( G. R. Marsh 6*, M. A. Taylor 3*); Second day, Australia 259-5 ( D. M. Jones 67*, P. L. Taylor 14*); Third day, Pakistan 73-4 ( Imran Khan 43*, Javed Miandad 16*); Fourth day, Pakistan 357-7( Salim Malik 46*, Tauseef Ahmed 11*).