Last Updated on 1 month by Charbel Coorey

The team batting fourth has won three of 15 Test matches at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, with two run chases coming in 2024 alone. Interestingly, the team batting second has won eight times compared to just three for sides batting first, with four draws.

In this article, we will look at these chases and the context behind them. History shows you don’t want to be chasing too many, and that is especially the case if the pitch is taking turn.

List of successful run chases in Tests at Rawalpindi

1. 220/8 by Sri Lanka against Pakistan, 2000

The great Aravinda de Silva was at his best in the 2000 Test against Pakistan. He hit a patient 112 in the first innings to drive Sri Lanka to 353 in response to Pakistan’s 182.

Trailing by 171, Saeed Anwar (84), Younis Khan (107) and Wasim Akram (79) drove a great fightback by the hosts, forcing the Sri Lankan attack, featuring Chaminda Vaas and Muttiah Muralitharan, to toil for 152.1 in the second innings.

Needing 220 to win, it turned out to be a thrilling match. Sri Lanka fell to 177/8, but Arjuna Ranatunga (29*), who had previously retired not out, and Romesh Kaluwitharana (36*) saw the visitors home thanks to an unbeaten 43-run stand under pressure.

In the end, injury concerns to Wasim Akram (who bowled just 2.1 overs) and Saqlain Mushtaq hurt Pakistan badly. Abdul Razzaq (4/56) and Waqar Younis (2/78) bowled 50.5 overs between them in the second innings, but a win eluded them.

2. 185/4 by Bangladesh against Pakistan, 2024

A historic moment for Bangladesh cricket. They beat Pakistan in a Test series for the first time ever, sealing a 2-0 win courtesy of a clinical run chase.

However, it wasn’t all smooth sailing. After Pakistan scored 274 on a pitch offering movement for the fast bowlers, Bangladesh were reduced to the depths of 26/6. A 165-run stand between Litton Das (138) and Mehidy Hasan Miraz (78) put Bangladesh right back in the game, and they eventually trailed by just 12 on the first innings.

Pakistan, as has often been the case in recent years, collapsed batting second. They managed just 172 in 46.4 overs, with no answers to pacers Hasan Mahmud (5/43) and Nahid Rana (4/44).

In the chase, Zakir Hasan (40) provided a quick start, and Bangladesh never looked back. They registered numerous partnerships to eventually get to the target with six wickets to spare, with Shakib Al Hasan hitting the winning runs.

1. 30/0 by Bangladesh against Pakistan, 2024

Bangladesh also achieved a run chase at Rawalpindi in the same series. In the first Test, they only needed 30 after rolling Pakistan for 146 in the third innings of the match.

With the opening day curtailed due to a wet outfield, Pakistan declared earlier than many thought on day two with 448/6 on the board. However, they still would have been expecting to take a lead at home to a side that had never lost to previously.

But, it wasn’t to be. Mushfiqur Rahim (191) was at his best, combining for 114 runs with Litton Das (56) and a mammoth 196-run stand with Mehidy Hasan Miraz (77) to catapult Bangladesh to 565.

From there, Pakistan were mentally shot, collapsing in just 55.5 overs to hand Bangladesh an easy chase.