Lord’s: Pakistan outsmart England for a sensational triumph. Fantasising? Not at all.
It all happened when Pakistan last a Test at the game’s headquarters in 2018.
Notwithstanding the present muddle Pakistan themselves landed in, it is undeniable that the resounding nine-wicket victory achieved under Sarfraz Ahmed was as grand as Lord’s. The right-left arm pace combination of Mohammad Abbas and Mohammad Amir excelled.
At the same venue two years earlier, Misbah-ul-Haq’s famous after leading his team to a hard-earned 75-run victory had energised Pakistan fans. The skipper and Amir produced outstanding shows on this occasion.
Lord’s holds a distinctive eminence for Pakistan, it goes without saying.
Imran Khan and his men recorded the country’s maiden Test win at this prestigious venue back in 1982 with opener Mohsin Khan becoming the first Pakistan cricketer to smash a double hundred at Lord’s and Mudassar Nazar shining with the leather.
“It [scoring the double century] at Lord’s was a great feeling, no doubt. However, the bigger satisfaction for me was that this innings contributed towards Pakistan’s victory,” Mohsin said when contacted by Dawn on Tuesday.
“After that match, the interviewer asked me why I did not offer sajdah [prostration] after completing my double century when usually [Pakistan] players do it even after reaching the hundred mark. I told him that I will prostrate after Pakistan’s victory, which I did [along with team-mates] when we won by 10 wickets,” the 71-year-old recalled.
“Some of the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC) members at Lord’s said that it was the best match they have witnessed at the venue.”
On how different it is for a player to excel at Lord’s, Mohsin said: “There is nothing different [from other venues]. The only thing is that the place is given [historic] importance [by the cricket management in England].”
Pakistan boast a relatively better head-to-head Test record against England at Lord’s — ever since Abdul Hafiz Kardar’s men first played a Test there way back in 1954 — where the former over the years won five games, lost four besides drawing six.
Pakistan registered famous victories at the venue in 1992 and 1996 — mainly due to the magnificent bowling by legendary pacers Wasim Akram and Waqar Younis.
Fast forward to 2026
Pakistan currently are in a real and serious mess as they continue to slide in international contests, even against the teams that look weak.
In this regard, suffering two back-to-back series sweeps at the hands of gradually-improving Bangladesh during the past couple of years is extremely disturbing.
Therefore, expecting a victory from Pakistan at Lord’s will perhaps be asking for too much, though you never know.
‘No killer instinct’
On comparing Pakistan in England on their 1982 visit, and beyond, to the present team touring the country, Mohsin was categorical.
“The present players seem to lack the fighting spirit and that killer instinct which was once part of Pakistan’s cricketing culture,” the 48-Test player who was termed ‘Lord of Lord’s by English media after his double ton, emphasised.
On why it was so, he was quick to add: “There is absolutely no accountability of the present-day players many of whom believe they will remain part of the [national] team regardless of their showing and results.
“Unlike our times when youngsters had to toil for long periods to get selected in the national team, many cricketers in the contemporary set-up easily reach the national ranks.
“Moreover, there is no merit in the present set-up for players as well as team management. Sifaarish [unjustified recommendation from certain quarters] has damaged our game badly over the years.”
On how the iconic Imran, under whom Pakistan won their first-ever Test series in England in 1987 and clinched the 1992 World Cup, motivated his players, Mohsin said it was straightforward.
“Imran was categorical [in selection matters], meticulously implementing the rule of keeping only those players in the team who performed [on the occasion], otherwise they were axed,” he stated.
Pakistan wilted inside three days in all departments at Headingley. So, hoping for a swift turnaround, whether or not Babar Azam recovers to return, will be daydreaming. Lord’s unique vibe, which sometimes kindles Pakistan cricketers to raise their game here and there, seems the only positive.
