![Brian Lara's 77-ball hundred against Pakistan [Source: AFP]](https://onecricketnews.akamaized.net/parth-editor/oc-dashboard/news-images-prod/1763718242987_Lara_PAK.jpg?type=hq)
Brian Lara's 77-ball hundred against Pakistan [Source: AFP]
Test cricket often moves at a glacial pace, with five-day battles testing grit, skill, and endurance. A non-cricket fan might yawn during the five-day spectacle, but some heroics made the cricket fans glued to their seats in front of the TV screen.
The longest format is all about patience, but some players proved that T20 fireworks are possible with the red ball. The West Indies batters are inborn power-hitters, and with their brilliance, they brought the T20 thrills in the longest format as the world watched those shows in awe.
Brian Lara, the ultimate star of Caribbean cricket, not just played the game, he owned it, carved his own legacy, and proved the Test format can also see the drizzle of fours and sixes. On this day, the veteran Caribbean bowler smashed a 77-ball hundred against Pakistan in a Test. Let's feel the 'Lara' thrills again.
Lara rules Multan in a way Pakistan never could
During the 90s and early 2000s, Pakistan was one of the formidable forces as the entire world was scared of their lethal bowling attack. The cricket world has numerous talents, but a player turned into a legend when he played the unplayable, just as Brian Lara did in 2006 against the Men in Green. Facing Pakistan in the second Test in Multan, the Caribbean batter brought T20 madness to the Test match.
Batting first, Pakistan put on a total of 357, intending to restrict the West Indies side under the belt, but they never imagined how the 'Lara Storm' would shatter their dream. Opening the innings, Chris Gayle and Daren Ganga stitched a 162-run stand, and Lara went after Gayle walked away, scoring 93 runs.
Brian Lara, known for effortless strike play, calm under pressure, and a storm in need, showcased a different side of his batting as the Pakistani bowlers took a backseat. Swinging his bat on high since the first ball, he completed his half-century in just 48 runs.
The half-century saw Lara's calculative mindset, and after reaching the milestone, the Caribbean legend unleashed his fiery side. In just 29 more balls, he blasted a sensational century, completing it in 77 balls, the 17th fastest in Test history. After he smashed the ball all over the ground, the Pakistani bowler felt hell on their own home soil.
Lara’s bat soars out of Pakistan’s reach
After Brian Lara smashed the fastest hundred, Pakistani bowlers had a nightmare, but the Caribbean batter was left with more destruction as more humiliation was left for the home time. Multan was Pakistan's fort, but on that day, Lara owned the ground as Pakistan never could in the previous years.
After Pakistan bowlers found rhythm, West Indies lost some quick wickets, but Lara stood firm and stitched a classic partnership with Dwayne Bravo. The Men in Green tried everything, but Lara owned the day as he scored 150 runs in 145 balls.
At the end of the day, the West Indies were 500 up, but Lara stayed on the crease with an unbeaten 196. Coming back on the next day, Lara smashed a spectacular double hundred in just 241 deliveries.
Over a span of almost two days, Pakistan kept searching for a way to remove him, but Dinesh Kaneria unlocked the desired momentum in the 161st over as Lara walked away with an outstanding knock of 216 runs in 262 balls with 22 boundaries and seven sixes.
Since making his debut for the nation, Brian Lara became one of the cricket greats of the West Indies. His sensational century against Pakistan wasn't just a score; it was a masterclass in brilliance, skill, and sheer determination. While others may have broken speed records later, Lara's iconic knock still shines as one of the most unforgettable moments in cricket history.
