PAKISTAN v AUSTRALIA 1982-83

At Lahore, October 14, 15, 16, 18, 19. Pakistan won by nine wickets. In the belief that the well-grassed pitch would be fast, Imran put Australia in, and once again the touring side's middle order failed lamentably. Imran and the new Test cap, Jalal-ud-Din - preferred in the conditions to Iqbal Qasim - took seven wickets between them as Australia were dismissed for 316, which looked like being fewer until Lawson, Yardley and Alderman made late runs. Yardley and Alderman were preferred to the spinners, Bright and Sleep. Lawson's growing stature as a late-order batsman was seen as he hit a 6 and nine 4s in his 57 not out in 102 minutes.

Mohsin and Mudassar provided another fine start to Pakistan's first innings, and although Pakistan were uneasy at 119 for three, Mohsin and Miandad rallied them with centuries and a 150-run partnership in 191 minutes. Mohsin's third Test century was achieved in his sixteenth Test, Miandad's eighth in his 46th. After Alderman, one of the most reliable of fieldsmen, failed to hold a catch at slip when Miandad was only 9, Miandad became restricted in his bid to reach his century, staying on 96 for almost an hour as Thomson, in particular, bowled with considerable hostility. Miandad was dropped three times during his innings, so continuing the Australians' series of costly mistakes. Thomson's aggression was inadequately rewarded, and in an untypical action he kicked down the stumps on the second day after umpire Shakoor Rana had no-balled him. The umpire spoke to the bowler and then to Hughes. After several more no-balls had upset Thomson, he was taken out of the attack.

Imran closed Pakistan's first innings 151 runs ahead, and by stumps on the fourth day Australia were in a grim position at 66 for three. Dyson made 51 in dogged fashion and Hughes took three hours over 39. But Australia were incapable of resisting the Pakistan advance, Imran again being among the wickets. Pakistan needed only 64 runs in their second innings and achieved a third successive victory in the last hour of the game. Qadir's 22 wickets in the series constituted a new record for Pakistan against Australia.