Lahore, July 29, 2019: The fans have voted Pakistan’s 12-run win over India at Chennai in 1999 as the greatest Test match to date in the country’s 432-Test history. The thrilling Test was played from 28 to 31 January with Pakistan coming back from behind to win back-to-back (Bangalore 1987 and Chennai 1999) Tests on the Indian soil.
In the voting period, which ran from 26 to 29 July, 15,847 fans cast their votes on the PCB’s official Facebook page and Twitter handle. With 65 percent votes, 1999 Chennai Test was an outright winner, while 1987 Bangalore Test, 1954 The Oval Test and 1994 Karachi Test received 15 percent, 11 percent and 10 percent votes, respectively.
The poll received nearly 109,000 impressions on Twitter and achieved a reach of 1.02 million on Facebook. Furthermore, it also remained one of the most engaging social media activity in the region during the four-day period.
Read More: Fans invited to vote for Pakistan’s greatest Test to date
The PCB had given an opportunity to its fans and followers to vote for Pakistan’s greatest Test as part of its initiative to celebrate the launch of the World Test Championship, which will take place in England today (Monday).
The challenging and difficult task of selecting four Tests was carried out by an independent and highly respected panel of cricket experts and historians, namely Benedict Bermange, Mazher Arshad, Nauman Niaz, Osman Samiuddin and Qamar Ahmed.
The four Tests chosen by the independent panel were:
• 1954 v England, The Oval
• 1987 v India, Bangalore
• 1994 v Australia, Karachi
• 1999 v India, Chennai
Wasim Akram, the captain of that Pakistan side, while reminiscing the Chennai Test said: “If all those who watched it live can still get goosebumps, just imagine the emotions, reactions, and feelings of those who were directly involved in that match. We talk a lot about pressure cricket and a match of fluctuating fortunes.
“I was involved in three of the four Tests that were shortlisted and cannot agree more with the fans’ choice of the 1999 Chennai Test as Pakistan’s greatest Test to date,” he added.
“If anyone wants to know what pressure is and how to handle and deliver on it, then Chennai Test is the benchmark,” he concluded.
The fans widely discussed the poll and the local media also joined them in celebrating the country’s rich cricketing legacy.
Pakistan Cricket Board Managing Director Wasim Khan said: “I am delighted that the fans got an opportunity to remember and cherish the epic feats of our team. I congratulate the stars of the 1999 team. That the victory is still being celebrated after more than two decades underscores its magnificence and what it means to the fans of Pakistan cricket.”
“I also want to thank the media for extending their support to us by providing
While talking to the media W
“Pakistan will continue to play its role in the development of the game. I expect a record
Pakistan’s run in the long-awaited championship will kick off in October when they will host Sri-Lanka for a two-match Test series.
The following is Pakistan’s schedule in the ICC World Test Championship:
October 2019 – v Sri Lanka (two home Tests)
November 2019 – v Australia (two away Tests)
January 2020 – v Bangladesh (two home Tests)
July/August 2020 – v England (three away Tests)
December 2020 – v New Zealand (two away Tests)
January 2021 – v South Africa (two home Tests)
