Rawalpindi Woes: Four Lowest Test Totals recorded by Pakistan at home

Add as a preferred source on Google

Pakistan cricket team grabbed the headlines for all the wrong reasons, especially after their recent 2-0 whitewash against Bangladesh at home. The hosts failed to get the better of the visitors in their familiar conditions and ended up on the receiving end of trolls and criticism.

Pakistan suffered back-to-back defeats at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. It is a venue that has witnessed some unforgettable Test matches in history. While Pakistan recorded some big totals at this venue, they have also endured a few painful batting collapses, which led to lowest totals.

Rawalpindi has seen its fair share of both "triumphs and tribulations" for the home side. In this article, let's now look at four of the lowest Test totals recorded by Pakistan at this venue.

1. 145 vs Australia, 1998

In a Test match against Australia in 1998, the hosts found themselves in a dire situation during the second innings. Australia posted 513 runs, thanks to centuries from Steve Waugh (157) and Michael Slater (108). In reply, Pakistan struggled to keep up, despite a valiant 145-run effort by Saeed Anwar in the first innings. As a result, Australia enforced the follow on against Pakistan. However, the hosts were bowled out for just 145 runs in the second innings. This dismal batting performance led to an innings and 99-run defeat, which was one of their lowest totals in Rawalpindi.

2. 146 vs Bangladesh, 2024

Very recently, Pakistan faced another significant collapse, this time against Bangladesh. After posting a solid 448/6 (declared), led by Mohammad Rizwan’s 171* and Saud Shakeel’s 141, Pakistan would have hoped for a comfortable win. However, Bangladesh responded strongly with a565, thanks to Mushfiqur Rahim’s 191 and Mehidy Hasan Miraz’s 77. In their second innings, Pakistan faltered dramatically, as they were skittled out for just 146. Mehidy Hasan Miraz starred with the ball, taking four wickets. The visitors went on to win the game by 10 wickets and handed Pakistan one of their most humiliating home defeats.

3. 172 vs Bangladesh, 2024

During the second Test of the 2024 series against Bangladesh, Pakistan’s batting woes continued. Bangladesh posted a modest 274 in the first innings. In reply, Bangladesh posted 262 with the help of Litton Das' game-changing century. On the other hand, Pakistan were bowled out for 172 in their second innings, which was their third-lowest total in Rawalpindi. Bangladesh capitalized on this collapse and chased down the target on the final day to secure a six-wicket win and completed a historic 2-0 series whitewash.

4. 182 vs Sri Lanka, 2000

When Pakistan locked horns with Sri Lanka in Rawalpindi in 2000, the home team struggled with the bat. In their first innings, Pakistan were bowled out for just 182, with Pramodya Wickramasinghe and Muthiah Muralidaran taking four wickets apiece for Sri Lanka. Despite a better performance in the second innings, where they posted 390 runs, Pakistan failed to defend their total. Sri Lanka chased down the target with two wickets to spare. Aravinda de Silva’s century and Chaminda Vaas' unbeaten 53 helped Sri Lanka set-up a memorable win.