The Rest of the World XI clinched an amazing 7 wicket victory against Pakistan in the final game of a brilliant World Test Championship. Champions Pakistan won the toss at Lords and elected to bat first on a beautiful batting wicket.
Younis Khan and Saeed Anwar continued where they left off in the Final, combining for an opening partnership of 291. Younis Khan has had a brilliant tournament and hit 215 for the Champions with Saeed Anwar making 116. Ray Lindwall was the pick of the bowlers with 3 for 90 and Pakistan lost 8 wickets for 196 as they declared on 487 for 8.
Pakistans bowlers quickly took control of the game as the World XI's batting lineup struggled against their pace and swing. They were 134 for 5 when Steve Smith was joined at the crease by Chris Cairns. The 2 shared an important stand of 175 with Cairns making 75. Smith kept going and made a brilliant 168 before he was bowled by Waqar Younis. The World XI were bowled out for 376, giving Pakistan a lead of 111.
The World XI bowlers were much better in the 2nd innings and Pakistan faltered a little but made 168 for 7 as they declared near the end of day 4. Shane Bond took 2 for 12 and Ray Lindwall 2 for 46, while Pakistan captain Imran Khan smashed a quick fire 47. They set a target of 280 to win on a pitch where the bounce was now becoming increasingly uneven.
Sutcliffe and Richards put on 61 for the 1st wicket and then Hammond added 26 before he was out with the score 107 for 2. Barry Richards then combined with Steve Smith, adding 156 for the 3rd wicket. Richards made 129 with some belligerent hitting against all of the Pakistans bowlers. Richards was eventually out but not before the damage had been done. Smith saw the World XI home as he hit the winning runs with a hook shot for 6 off Wasim Akram. He finished on 98 not out after an aggressive but beautifully timed innings.
The World XI won by 7 wickets with 10 overs remaining of the last hour, but well after 6pm, with light beginning to fade.
Steve Smith won man of the match for his fantastic performance and it brings a fitting conclusion to an exhilarating World Test Championship.
Pakistan: Younis Khan; Saeed Anwar; Zaheer Abbas; Inzamam-Ul-Haq; Javed Miandad; Imran Khan [c]; Imtiaz Ahmed [w]; Wasim Akram; Waqar Younis; Saqlain Mushtaq; Fazal Mahmood
Rest of the World: B Sutcliffe; BA Richards; WR Hammond; SPD Smith; SP Fleming [c]; AC Gilchrist [w]; CL Cairns; SK Warne; RR Lindwall; SE Bond; SL Malinga
Pakistan 1st Innings 487-8 dec (146 Ov)
Younis Khan 215, Saeed Anwar 116, Inzamam-Ul-Haq 53, RR Lindwall 3-90, B Sutcliffe 2-69, SL Malinga 2-102
Rest of the World 1st Innings 376-10 (142.3 Ov)
SPD Smith 168, CL Cairns 74, BA Richards 62, Waqar Younis 3-73, Wasim Akram 3-81, Imran Khan 3-91
Pakistan 2nd Innings 168-7 dec (52 Ov)
Imran Khan 47, Zaheer Abbas 30, SE Bond 2-12, RR Lindwall 2-46
Rest of the World 2nd Innings 284-3 (68.5 Ov)
BA Richards 129, SPD Smith 98*, B Sutcliffe 26
Rest of the World won by 7 wickets
Man of the Match: SPD Smith
Steve Smith hit 266 runs in the match, batting for nearly 11 hours, facing 459 balls and hitting 27 fours and 3 sixes
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