Dehydrating an Empire: Pakistan’s killer performances in the desert

The 2012 UAE series against England was a high-note for Team Misbah, where they enforced a historic white-wash over the Brits. We relive five game-changing acts that left the Englishmen gasping for water.

The 3-0 triumph over the English in the arid zone of UAE will go down as one of the momentous achievements in Pakistan’s cherished test history.

Why shouldn’t it be? England, in the early part of 2012, were undoubtedly the number one test side in the world. They had arrived in the Emirates boasting a six series undefeated stretch, during which they snatched the Ashes, downed the Sri-Lankans and deflated India.

They had four batsmen in the top 10 ICC rankings (Cook, Bell, Trott & Pietersen), Pakistan was just blessed with Younis Khan. On the bowling front, three of their frontline bowlers (Anderson, Swann & Broad) were amongst the five top-ranked bowlers while hanging on the third spot, was Pakistan’s lone survivor, Saeed Ajmal.

Strauss men looked in good shape, undeterred by the heat spell and adjusting well to the morbid turfs, they were all set to play the terminator. The only problem in their way, however, was a resurgent Pakistan. An opponent they were too busy to study amidst singing Christmas Carols and New Year funfair.

Pakistan, under Misbah, were regrouping with a reputation of a disciplined yet resilient unit. All they needed was an opportunity to showcase their potential. A little over two months after the tinted trio of Butt, Asif and Aamir were imprisoned for spot fixing, this was their perfect opportunity.

This drubbing didn’t just happen by chance, in fact, England were tormented to the end in each department. We recollect five game-changing performances from the series that gave the touring party their worst nightmares imaginable.

Awesome Ajmal (7/55; 1st Test, 1st innings)



For those who hear loud, you need to create a bang, Ajmal did exactly that. Keep the cultural hospitality aside, Saeed bamboozled the English with his spicy mix-plate of doosras and off-breaks. The very first day of the series and he forced seven English batsmen to return to the nets and redo their techniques.

With this early blow inflicted, Ajmal was all over the English nerves, a jolt they never actually recovered from. He ended up taking 10 wickets in the match and Pakistan wrapped up the game within three days, giving them ample time to enjoy the cool breeze at Dubai Cornish.

10 for 97, was the best performance by any Pakistani spinner against England in 24 years. With alarm bells ringing, former quick Bob Willis was quick to question Ajmal’s bowling action. And yes there was the bluff for the unseen deadly Teesra that never came, never mind, it wasn’t needed anyway.

The Double AA syndrome, Azhar & Asad (88 runs; 2nd Test, 2nd Innings)




After Dubai, the teams headed to Abu Dhabi for the second match. Pakistan scored 257 in the first innings and England responded with 327, earning a 70 runs lead. Pakistan were scratchy in their second innings with Monty Panesar removing the top order, Pakistan lost their top four batsmen for 54 and were still behind England’s first innings lead. England, at this point smelled blood and a possible revenge, a three day finish was at sight.

Asad Shaifq joined Azhar Ali at the crease, who was counting wickets from the other end. It was Asad, recalls Azhar, the one who set the tone, “I was clueless what’s going on, but Asad walked in with a smile and said, Azhar bhai! You and me, I smiled back and we started building the innings run by run”.

Both added 88 crucial runs for the 5th wicket and helped set a challenging target of 145 to defend. Asad scored 43 while Azhar took over four hours to score his match saving 68. The stage was now set for another star to shine.

Abdur Rehman’s Big Spin (6/25; 2nd Test, 2nd innings)




The fourth day of the Abu Dhabi test will remain in memories for whole set of reasons, for Abdur Rehman, Pakistan’s other spin weapon living under Ajmal’s shadows, it would bring him career best figures of 6/25. For England, sadly, it will go down as their most disastrous batting collapse in test history.

Rehman, with his left arm spin, exploited the inability of English batsmen to read his length and in turn caused heavy causality. Strauss’s men came to UAE fearing Ajmal, but they had fallen to the one of the most underrated spinners in the game.

Requiring 145 to win, England only managed half way with a demoralising defeat. The test was over on the 4th day and Misbah pocketed a commendable victory.

The Azhar/Younis effect (3rd Test, 2nd Innings)




Desperate to salvage their pride and smoke puffing out their nostrils, England returned to Dubai with only one thing in mind, revenge. And it seemed they had done their home work as Pakistan were ripped off for just 99 in their first innings. England batsmen had a similar sorry tale; their brains scrambled by Pakistani spinners, they lacked the confidence to outplay the spin attack and were bundled out for 141, barely managing a 42 run lead.

Pakistan had another second innings stodgy start and both openers were removed for 28. It was time for Pakistan’s senior most batsmen, the hard nut Younis Khan to take centre stage. He along with Azhar Ali jotted 216 runs for the third wicket and buried all hopes of an English resurgence.

Umer Gul’s extra yard (4/61; (3rd test, 2nd innings)




Considering their previous test performance, where they crashed out chasing 145, 324, was enough to let Pakistan coach Mohsin Hassan relax and enjoy another cup of tea. England started of respectfully but kept loosing wickets.

Half way through, Umer Gul, Pakistan’s pace gladiator reminded the Englishmen that the lethal attack was not just about spin, his pace was there to trigger their migraine. He ran through the middle order not allowing anyone to settle in and pose threat to Pakistan.

England were packed up for 252 and Pakistan won by 71 runs. The unimaginable had just happened. The strong walls of Fort England came crushing down and a new chapter in Pakistan’s glorious test history added.