India and Pakistan haven’t played a bilateral Test series in years. Their last Test match was back in December 2007. But let’s take a trip down memory lane to a match where one Indian player put the Pakistani team through a rough patch. The fast bowlers, including Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami, were taken apart by the Indian batsman.
A Historic Match in Multan
It was 2004, and the first Test of the India-Pakistan series was being played in Multan. India was batting first, and Virender Sehwag was on a roll. The Pakistani bowlers were struggling to contain him. Sehwag became the first Indian to score a triple century in Test cricket that day. In fact, he’s the only Indian to have achieved this feat twice.
Sehwag’s innings was nothing short of spectacular. He scored 309 runs off 375 balls, hitting 39 fours and 6 sixes. He also put together a 336-run partnership with Sachin Tendulkar, who remained unbeaten on 194. Thanks to Sehwag and Tendulkar, India posted a massive total of 675 in the first innings.
Pakistani Bowlers Struggle
The Pakistani bowling attack was unable to trouble the Indian batsmen. Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami, known for their pace, were unable to make an impact. Akhtar went for 119 runs in 32 overs without taking a single wicket. Sami fared slightly better, taking 2 wickets but conceding 110 runs in 34 overs.
Saqib Mahmood and Saqlain Mushtaq also had a tough time. Mushtaq, considered one of Pakistan’s most potent spinners, gave away 204 runs. India won the match by an innings and 52 runs, thanks to Sehwag and Tendulkar’s impressive batting.
The match remains a memorable one in the history of India-Pakistan cricket. Sehwag’s triple century and the Pakistani bowlers’ struggles made it a day to remember for cricket fans.