5 Greatest Test series in the last 40 years

#4. West Indies 1-1 Pakistan (1987-88):

Imran Khan was majestic in the series against West Indies in 1987-88

West Indies were a fearsome proposition in the 1970s and 1980s. Their decline started in the late 1980s as most of their stalwarts like Viv Richards, Malcolm Marshall, Gordon Greenidge and Desmond Haynes approached the end of their respective careers. Still, they had a very strong team in 1988 when a Pakistan team led by Imran Khan visited them.

It was a very big challenge for Imran and his boys as they attempted to tame the lion in its den. Both the teams had very strong bowling attacks. Pakistan had Imran, Wasim Akram and Abdul Qadir, whereas West Indies had Marshall, Courtney Walsh and Winston Benjamin.

The visitors began very well by thrashing the West Indies by 9 wickets in the first Test. Imran destroyed West Indies with his lethal fast bowling and took 11 wickets in the match. Javed Miandad scored a wonderful hundred to help Pakistan register a resounding win.

The second Test also provided great excitement and had the spectators on the edge of their seat till the very last delivery of the match. Viv Richards bowled the last over to Abdul Qadir, who managed to see off the six deliveries and ensure that the match ended in a draw. Imran was superb for Pakistan in that series and took 9 wickets in the match. For West Indies, Richards made a superb ton and Marshall took 6 wickets.

West Indies came back strongly to win the third and final Test by a very close margin. Richards and Richie Richardson scored some valuable runs for them and Wasim Akram took 7 wickets in the match.

Richards’ knock in the fourth innings ensured a 2-wicket victory for the home side. The Pakistanis could not win the series in the end, but came back with their heads held high.