Pakistan cricket team were one of the former powerhouses of Test cricket. However, in recent years, their performances were far from impressive and their recent decline in Test cricket has become a complex issue.

Mominul Haque and Najmul Hossain ShantoWhile the team has historically been a force to be reckoned with, inconsistent leadership, lack of quality domestic cricket have contributed to their downfall. It is up to the PCB to sort out internal issues before it's too late.

Pakistan suffered a humiliating 2-0 Test series defeat to Bangladesh at home. In fact, this is only the second time they lost all Tests in a home rubber since losing 0-3 to England in 2022/23. Their recent Test series defeat means that Pakistan have now gone 10 Tests at home without a win (six defeats & four draws).

In this article, we will now take a look at the four highest successful targets chased down by visiting teams in Pakistan.

1. England's 176-Run Chase in Karachi (2000)

In December 2000, England and Pakistan faced off in a series-deciding third Test in Karachi. After the first two games ended in a draw, the series was on the line. Pakistan had a slight upper hand at the halfway stage, leading by 17 runs, courtesy of Inzamam-ul-Haq's brilliant 142 and Waqar Younis' four-wicket haul.

However, England's bowlers, Darren Gough and Ashley Giles, fought back and helped the team bowl Pakistan out for 158 in their second innings and setting a target of 176. England's chase got off to a shaky start, with Saqlain Mushtaq removing both openers early. At 65/3, things looked risky. However, Graham Thorpe (64*) and Graeme Hick (40) steadied the ship and guided England to a six-wicket victory and sealing the series.

2. Bangladesh's Historic 185-Run Chase in Rawalpindi (2024)

Recently, Bangladesh scripted history by winning their first-ever Test series in Pakistan. The crucial moment came during the second Test in Rawalpindi, where they successfully chased down 185 runs on a tough Day 5 pitch.

Bangladesh’s bowlers had earlier done the hard work, dismissing Pakistan for 274 and 172, with Mehidy Hasan Miraz and Hasan Mahmud rising to the occasion and delivering the goods by taking five-wicket hauls. The highlight of the game was Litton Das's century in the first innings, which reduced Pakistan's lead to just 12 runs. In the chase, all of Bangladesh's top six contributed, ensuring a historic win that whitewashed Pakistan by 2-0.

3. England's 208-run chase in Lahore (1961)

During England’s 1961 tour of Pakistan, they faced a challenging target of 208 in the first Test in Lahore. The match was finely poised after both teams had strong first innings, with Javed Burki scoring 138 for Pakistan and Ken Barrington replying with 139 for England.

In the second innings, England’s debutant fast bowler Alan Brown took three key wickets, limiting Pakistan to just 200. England’s chase was led by Edward Dexter, who played a composed knock of 66*, helping his team to a five-wicket win and a 1-0 lead in the series.

4. Sri Lanka's Gritty 220-run chase in Rawalpindi (2000)

In February 2000, Pakistan and Sri Lanka played out a thrilling Test in Rawalpindi. Pakistan, led by Younis Khan’s gritty 107, set Sri Lanka a target of 220 after a strong second innings. Earlier, Sri Lanka’s Aravinda de Silva had put his team in command with a century, giving them a 171-run first-innings lead.

The chase wasn’t easy, as Sri Lanka lost wickets at regular intervals. But, thanks to Sanath Jayasuriya’s brisk 56, they managed to scrape through, winning by two wickets in a tense finish that took 83.5 overs to complete.