4 Pakistan Captains Who Declared Yet Lost Test Matches

Shan Masood For Pakistan (X.com)Shan Masood For Pakistan (X.com)

The Pakistan cricket team boasts of a rich Test history as evidenced by its 70-plus year history. While the Asian giants have orchestrated some remarkable wins in their journey so far, both home and away, they have also unwittingly demonstrated their innate ability of losing certain matches from a seemingly-winnable position.

Here at OneCricket, we take a look at four instances where Pakistan lost a Test match after their captains declared at a commanding position in the first innings.

4. Imtiaz Ahmed vs England, October 1961

Back in October 1961, i.e., during the formative years of Pakistan cricket, then captain Imtiaz Ahmed became the first Pakistani player in history to lose a Test match after declaring in the first innings. Batting first, Javed Burki top-scored with 138 to fuel Pakistan’s 387-9d at the Lahore Stadium. The hosts also secured a handy seven-run lead, and stretched the same to 207 after scoring 200 runs in the second innings.

However, the visiting English party chased down their target in 59 overs courtesy of an unbeaten 66* from late Ted Dexter. Losing the Test by five wickets, the Imtiaz Ahmed-led Pakistan team also lost the three-match series by a 0-1 margin.

3. Intikhab Alam vs Australia, December 1972

During the second Test of Pakistan’s 1972 summer tour of Australia, the hosts amassed 441-5d in the first innings at the MCG largely owing to Ian Redpath’s 135-run special. Remarkably, the visiting Pakistan team led by Intikhab Alam secured a huge 133-run lead at the halfway stage of the match. Star batter Majid Khan scored 158 runs from 276 balls before captain Intikhab Alam called for Pakistan’s first innings declaration at 574-8.

As it turned out, Pakistan subjugated their 133-run advantage in the second half of the match by allowing Australia to notch up another 400-plus total. Left to chase 293 runs for a win, Pakistan batters were enveloped for just 200 to lose the match by 92 runs and the series by a 0-3 margin.

2. Misbah-ul-Haq vs Australia, December 2016

Misbah-ul-Haq vs Australia, December 2016 (x.com)Misbah-ul-Haq vs Australia, December 2016 (x.com)

Demoralized by a close defeat at The Gabba in December 2016, a Misbah-ul-Haq-led Pakistan team racked up a staggering 443-9d the following week at the MCG. While captain Misbah himself failed to notch up a notable score, his opener Azhar Ali made 205* and Asad Shafiq as well as Sohail Khan cracked sparkling half-centuries. In response, hosts Australia mounted a huge 181-run lead by amassing 624-8d courtesy of twin tons from David Warner and captain Steve Smith.

Later on, Pakistan batters succumbed to Day 5 pressure in front of Mitchell Starc (4-36) and Nathan Lyon (3-33) and folded up for just 163 in 53.2 overs. The visitors lost the Test by an innings and 18 runs, making Misbah-ul-Haq the only Pakistani captain in history to lose the Test with an innings margin after declaring with the bat.

1. Shan Masood vs Bangladesh, August 2024

Shan Masood vs Bangladesh, August 2024 (x.com)Shan Masood vs Bangladesh, August 2024 (x.com)

The Pakistan cricket team slipped to 16-3 before centuries from Mohammad Rizwan and Saud Shakeel lifted them past 400 against Bangladesh during the Rawalpindi Test of August 2024. Captain Shan Masood called for a declaration at 448-6 on the second morning in a bid to seal the Test early on a seemingly batting-friendly surface.

However, Bangladesh conjured a fightback for the ages by tallying 565 and taking a 117-run lead in the first innings. Pakistan’s fortunes further dwindled in their second batting recital as they were bundled out for just 146 on Day 5. Having seized cruise control of the match in its first two days, hosts Pakistan ended up losing the Test by 10 wickets.

With the outcome, Shan Masood became only the fourth Pakistani captain to lose a Test match after declaring in the first innings, and also became the first captain from his country to lose to Bangladesh.