Twin-fifty stands and winning targets

* Shoaib Malik and Salman Butt’s 54-run partnership for the first wicket, in Pakistan’s second innings, was their second fifty-plus stand of the match. It was for the first time in two years and seven series that any opening pair has put on two fifty-plus partnerships in a Test match for Pakistan. It was also only the 17th such occurrence for Pakistan in 53 years of Test cricket. See Table - 1 for more details.

* With a lead of 199 runs and just four wickets remaining at the end of day four, any of the three results (four if a tie is included!) are possible on the last day. If the last four Pakistani wickets add another 50 to 70 runs then it would be a fascinating tussle. Statistically speaking, Pakistan has a good record of defending low totals in the fourth innings. They have registered 13 victories while defending scores of 275 runs or less in the last innings - eight of which were during the 90’s - thanks to the two W’s. On the other end of the scale, Pakistan have lost seven games after setting the target between 200 and 275 while on 11 occasions they managed to draw the match. Tables 2, 3 & 4 have the complete details.Click to see the tables