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Wrapped In A Flash! Pakistan Humiliate West Indies With Unique Shortest Test Record

Akshita Patel

Shortest Completed Test Matches In Pakistan (By Balls) [Source: @TheRealPCB/X.com]Shortest Completed Test Matches In Pakistan (By Balls) [Source: @TheRealPCB/X.com]

Test cricket is renowned for its attritional style, offering opportunities for batters to grind out long innings and bowlers to showcase their skill and endurance. 

However, there are rare occasions when matches are completed in record time, often due to bowler-friendly conditions or dominant performances by specific teams. 

In subcontinent nations like Pakistan, pitches are more dry and favourable for spinners. Pitch curators often curate such dry pitches that will give the home team an edge over the opposition. 

On that note, here's a detailed look at the shortest completed Test matches played in Pakistan, ranked by the number of balls bowled. 

5. 1233 Balls - Pakistan vs England, Rawalpindi, 2024

In 2024, England visited Pakistan for a Test series. The third Test was held in Rawalpindi and the visitors posted 267 runs on the board batting first. Jamie Smith and Gus Atkinson’s 105-run resistance helped England recover from the middle-order collapse. In the second inning, Saud Shakeel hammered 134 runs and England had to toil for 96.4 overs to bowl out the host on 344 runs. 

Noman Ali and Sajid Khan’s majestic spells wrapped up England’s second inning in 37.2 overs as the visitors collapsed on 112 runs. The target of 37 runs was achieved by Pakistan in mere 3.1 overs. The Test match got over in 205.5 overs i.e. 1233 balls, marking it the fifth shortest Test on Pakistan soil.

4. 1183 - Pakistan vs Bangladesh, Multan, 2001

In 2001, Bangladesh played a Test against Pakistan in Multan. The visitors had an ugly collapse to 134 runs in the first inning. Pakistan capitalised on the early advantage to stack a giant total of 546 runs in the second inning. Saeed Anwar and Taufeeq Umar slammed a century each before Inzamam-ul-Haq, Mohammad Yousuf and Abdul Razzaq joined the party to slam a ton each. 

In the third inning, Danish Kaneria picked up a sensational six-wicket-haul to dismantle Bangladesh completely. Waqar Younis contributed with four wickets as the host team bowled out the visitors on 148 runs, leading to a dominant inning and 264-run victory. A total of 1183 balls were bowled in the entire Test as Pakistan didn’t bat in the last inning.

3. 1136 - Pakistan vs West Indies, Lahore, 1986

In 1986, Pakistan hosted West Indies at Lahore for the 2nd Test of the series. Pakistan had a shambolic experience in the first innings as they posted 131 runs in 53.4 overs. In response, West Indies scored 218 runs in 90.5 overs after Gordon Greenidge slammed 75 runs. In a dramatic turn of events, Pakistan faced a humiliating collapse in the third inning. 

Courtney Walsh picked four wickets whereas Tony Gray scalped three dismissals to dismantle the hosts on 77 runs in just 44.5 overs. They avoided batting in the fourth inning and secured a comfortable inning and 10-run win. A total of 1136 balls were bowled, making it the third shortest match concluded on Pakistan soil.

2. 1080 - Pakistan vs West Indies, Faisalabad, 1990

In 1990, the West Indies toured Pakistan again. Fasialabad hosted the second Test and after 54.2 overs, the host team collapsed to 170 runs. West Indies, meanwhile, posted 195 runs in the second inning, securing a marginal lead. Malcolm Marshall, meanwhile, unleashed carnage to dismantle Pakistan on 154 runs in 40.2 overs as four batters registered ducks. 

Windies chased down a small target of 130 runs in 29.2 overs to register an emphatic seven-wicket victory. The match was over in 1080 balls to mark the second shortest Test match on Pakistan soil. The match highlighted the brilliance of the West Indies pace battery, which consistently troubled Pakistani batters. 

1. 1064 - Pakistan vs West Indies, Multan, This Match, 2025

In the first Test against the West Indies, Pakistan unleashed unprecedented dominance. Held at Multan, Pakistan posted 280 runs batting first after a stable 100+ run partnership between Saud Shakeel and Mohammad Rizwan. In the second inning, Sajid Khan and Noman Ali destroyed the West Indies on 137 balls in just 25.2 overs. 

Meanwhile, the host team added 157 runs to their lead in the third inning, with Jomel Warrican picking up seven wickets. In a challenging chase, the Windies were bowled out for 123 runs in 36.3 overs in the fourth inning with Sajid and Noman dominating the matchup with nine wickets combined. With that, Pakistan registered a 127-run win and the match was summed up in just 1054 balls, marking the shortest Test match on Pakistan soil.