5 times when Pakistan proved they are masters of collapses in ODIs

The chokers tag in cricket is often associated with the South African team. But this list shows that Pakistan can be serious contenders to the infamous tag. Here is a look at five ODIs where Pakistan could have easily won the match but somehow managed to lose to their opponents.

---

#5 Versus India, Pakistan Tour of India, January 2013

Venue: Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi

Result: India 167 all out (43.4 overs) beat Pakistan 157 all out (48.5 overs) by 10 runs.

The Collapse: 113/3 in 34 overs to 157 all out in 48.5 overs. Lost 7 wickets for 44 runs.

India had already lost the first two matches in the three-match ODI series against Pakistan. They were certainly looking at a white-wash series defeat when their batsmen failed for the third time in the series to put up a challenging total. India, having won the toss and elected to bat first, posted a meagre 167 runs on the board. The top order failed to put runs on the board against the formidable Pakistan’s pace battery of Mohammad Irfan, Junaid Khan and Umar Gul. Saeed Ajmal put an end to Indian lower order’s resistance and ended up with figures of 5 for 24. India’s chances of posting a consolation win in the series looked bleak as Pakistan’s batting was untroubled riding on Nasir Jamshed’s back-to-back centuries in the first two ODIs.

The then-rookie Indian bowlers Bhuvaneshwar Kumar and Mohammed Shami bowled economical opening spells restricting Pakistan to 61 for 3 in 21 overs. Misbah-ul-Haq and Umar Akmal brought stability to the innings by adding 52 runs for the fourth wicket. Pakistan was comfortably placed at 113/3 in 34 overs with another 55 runs required 16 overs and 7 wickets in hand. The turning point in the game came when R Ashwin dismissed Misbah-ul-Haq caught by Rahane at leg-slip. With some tight overs from Ravindra Jadeja and Ishant Sharma pressure mounted on the Pakistan batsmen who made a mess of the target and ended up losing the match by 10 runs eventually.

#4 Versus India, April 1984, Rothmans Asia Cup

India vs Pakistan in Rothmans Asia Cup clash.

Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE

Result: India 188/4 in 46 overs beat Pakistan 134 all out in 39.4 overs by 54 runs

The Collapse: 125/4 to 134 all out in 39.4 overs. 6 wickets for 9 runs.

Pakistan faced India in a high voltage clash in the Rothmans Asia Cup in Sharjah. India led by Sunil Gavaskar won the toss and opted to bat on a slowish Sharjah wicket. Abdul Khadir and Mudassar Nazar bowled brilliantly to restrict the run flow and allowed India to score only 188/4. Pakistan was set a modest 188 to score in 46 overs on a pitch they were most used to playing.

Pakistan began their innings cautiously after losing an early wicket of Saadat Ali by run-out. Regular wickets kept falling, but the score was moving well. Pakistan were 125/4 when the all famous Pakistan collapse took shape. Pakistan needed 53 runs with 6 wickets in hand and more than 60 deliveries left. What followed was a comedy of errors which resulted in 2 run outs of Shahid Mahboob and Abdul Qadir, adding to the previous run outs of Salim Malik and Saadat Ali. Soon Pakistan lost 6 wickets for 9 runs and went from 125/4 to 134 all out.

Ravi Shastri and Roger Binny bowled brilliantly to restrict the run flow and grabbed crucial wickets. But the more pivotal turning point was the four suicidal run-outs effected by Pakistan on themselves which cost them the game once again from the jaws of victory.

#3 Versus Sri Lanka, June 2012

Pakistan v Sri Lanka - 1st One Day International

Venue: R Premadasa Stadium, Colombo

Result: Sri Lanka 243 for 8 in 50 overs beat Pakistan 199 all out in 45 overs by 44 runs.

The Collapse: 166 for 2 in 38th over to 199 all out in 45 overs. Lost 8 wickets for 33 runs.

Te T20I series between Sri Lanka and Pakistan was drawn 1-1. Both teams were boosted with the return of ODI specialist players and were eager to clinch the ODI series. Once again the ODI series as well was locked at 1-1 with two matches to play.

This was a must-win encounter for Pakistan to win the ODI series in Sri Lanka, which they had achieved only once in the last 25 years. A moderate target of 243 was set, courtesy Kumar Sangakkara and Mahela Jayawardene’s strong partnership. Pakistan had one of their best batting lineups, the depth of which went all the way down to Sarfaraz Ahmed batting at no. 8.

Pakistan, knowing the target in a crucial encounter, held all the aces in the chase. After losing two quick wickets of Mohammad Hafeez and Asad Shafiq, Misbah-ul-Haq and Azhar Ali held the fort well. Pakistan cruised to 165 for 2. Still needing 79 runs from 78 balls with 8 wickets in hand, Pakistan seemed to be in the driver’s seat.

Such a proposition is said to be a cakewalk in modern day ODI cricket. But soon Lasith Malinga broke the partnership with Misbah-ul-Haq's wicket. Sri Lanka then witnessed one of the greatest pace bowling spells in the form of Thisara Perrera. Perrera destroyed Pakistan’s formidable middle order by claiming a hat-trick of wickets of Younis Khan, Shahid Afridi and Sarfaraz Ahmed.

Pakistan were shell-shocked, and its six lower order batsmen all put together scored only one run. They ended up 44 runs short of the target and gifted Sri Lanka an unassailable lead in the ODI series and they also lose the series eventually.

#2 Versus South Africa, October 2007

Makhaya Ntini and Morne Morkel did a fine job with the ball for the Proteas

Venue: Gadaffi Stadium, Lahore

Result: South Africa 233/9 (50 overs) beat Pakistan 219 all out (46.3 overs) by 14 runs.

The Collapse: 199/4 in 40.2 overs to 219 all out in 46.3 overs. Lost 6 wickets for 20 runs.

The South Africa tour of Pakistan, 2007 was rather a forgettable series for Pakistan. They had lost the test series 1-0. The one-day series was a closely contested. Both Pakistan and South Africa had won two games each in the five-match ODI series. Pakistan looked like they could redeem themselves by winning the ODI series. South Africa having won the toss and electing to bat put on a modest 233 in 50 overs with the help of the fifties from Gibbs and Kallis.

In reply, Pakistan was cruising at 149/2 in 30 overs on the back of Younis Khan and Mohammad Yousuf’s 106-run third wicket partnership. Both Younis and Yousuf fell in the space of 11 runs leaving Pakistan in a spot of bother at 160 for 4 in 33 overs, before Shoaib Malik and Misbah-ul-Haq steadied the ship with their 39-run partnership.

All hell broke loose when Morne Morkel bowled a well-set Malik in the 41st over and two overs later Misbah-ul-Haq played an irresponsible shot off Makhaya Ntini to Duminy at cover. The Pakistan team lost six wickets in the space of 20 runs to lose the match and the series.

#1 Versus South Africa, October 2013

It was a lucky escape for South Africa

Venue: Sharjah Cricket Stadium, UAE

Result: South Africa 183 all out in 49.5 overs beat Pakistan 182 all out in 46.3 overs by 1 run.

The Collapse: 165/4 in 40.5 overs to 182 all out in 46.3 overs. Lost 6 wicket for 17 runs

The Pakistan Cricket team hosted South Africa for two Tests and five ODIs and two T20Is in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). The Test series honours were shared with Pakistan winning the first Test and South Africa winning the second. Despite being a low-scoring match, the first ODI of the series turned out to be a cracker.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, South Africa lost Ingram in the first over. The relentless spin bowling of Saeed Ajmal and Shahid Afridi kept South African batsmen at check. Despite efforts from David Miller (37) and Wayne Parnell (56), South Africa ended up scoring a chaseable 183.

The Pakistanis in their reply had a steady set of partnerships at the top which helped them to reach 165 for 4 in the 41st over. The victory was in sight for Pakistan with only 19 runs required from 55 deliveries. But Pakistan squandered their chances and losing 6 wickets for just 17 runs and ended up losing by a gut-wrenching 1 run.