India vs Pakistan 1983/84 (Part Three)

Jan 28, 2022

India vs Pakistan 1983/84 (Part Three) Image

Pakistan’s 1983/84 tour of India, relatively shorter compared to some recent bilateral series between the two countries, concluded with the third Test match, in Nagpur.

Unfortunately, play was truncated on the first day, with five hours lost to rain. In the available time, India won the toss, batted, and reached 92/2 at stumps, with Sunil Gavaskar unbeaten on 46.

When play resumed next day, he would go on to add only four more to his overnight score before being dismissed for 50, as India subsided to 103/5. Kapil Dev, 32, and Ravi Shastri, 52, helped to stabilise the innings, but India were still indebted to Syed Kirmani, whose 30 not out from No. 10 helped them reach 245. Azeem Hafeez was the most successful Pakistan bowler, taking 4-58.

India claimed two early wickets when Pakistan replied, but Mohsin Khan got 44. Javed Miandad and Zaheer Abbas then added 70 for the fourth wicket before Miandad fell for 60. 

Zaheer and Mudassar Nazar, batting down the order, then added 101. Zaheer was out for 85, including three sixes and eight fours, his highest score on Indian soil, while Mudassar, with 10 fours of his own, went on to make 75. His was the penultimate wicket to fall, as Pakistan were all out for 322 on Day 3, a first-innings lead of 77.

When India batted again, Gavaskar top-scored with 64, while Dilip Vengsarkar scored 40. Madan Lal and Kirmani then shared an unbeaten stand of 55 for the ninth wicket, enabling India to declare on 262/8, with little time left. Pakistan were 42/1 when the umpires removed the bails for the final time.

The match ended in a draw, the same as in the other two Test matches, although India at least had the satisfaction of coming out on top in the ODIs.