New Zealand recently defeated Pakistan by 4 runs in the 1st Test
In the shorter formats of the game, to win by just a couple of runs is quite thrilling for the winning team, but when it comes to red ball cricket, the significance is much more as the intensity and fervour is absolutely nail-biting and nerve-racking. For the winning side, it will be their proudest moment, especially when playing away, but for the home side, the provocations, humiliation and embarrassment is cold as it lingers in their cricket books.
The same thrills was experienced recently when New Zealand defeated Pakistan in the 1st Test at UAE by a thrilling four runs on Day 4. In what seemed to have been a sensational collapse, Pakistan succumbed to debutant spinner Ajaz Patel's five-wicket haul as the Kiwis made an astonishing comeback.
Test cricket has always brought out passion, rivalry, intensity, fervour, vigour and plenty of emotions in the players, be it at home or away. Red ball cricket has its own charm and that's why its called the 'Gentlemen's Game'.
Here are the narrowest wins in Test cricket history.
South Africa vs Australia, Sydney, 1994 - 5 Runs
South Africa vs Australia, Sydney, 1994 - 5 Runs
At the Sydney cricket ground, Fanie de Villiers was firing bullets. In 8 overs, he took 6 wickets to see of some of the Aussie greats. He had figures of 6/43 (second innings) and saw off the hosts in style as they clinched a narrow win by 5 runs. Australia had a target of 117 runs, but with de Villiers and Allan Donald around, the hosts had a tough time scoring runs as the Proteas went on to win the match by a meager 5 runs.
New Zealand vs. Pakistan, Abu Dhabi, 2018 - 4 Runs
New Zealand defeated Pakistan by 4 runs
Pakistan succumbed to debutant spinner Ajaz Patel's five-wicket haul and lost the first test against New Zealand by four runs on Monday. Needing 139 more runs with all 10 wickets in hand on the fourth day, Pakistan were bowled out for 171 with Patel taking 5/59 and Wagner claiming 2/27. Azhar was the last man to be dismissed when Patel had him leg before wicket as New Zealand recorded their narrowest test victory in terms of runs.
England vs. Australia, Melbourne, 1982 - 3 Runs
England vs. Australia, Melbourne, 1982 - 3 Runs
The Ashes is one the oldest rivalries known to the cricket fraternity and for any nation to get the upper hand over the other is a 'big' deal. There is plenty more than just ego and pride on the field, but the animosity is quite intense every time the two nations clash. Here's a match where England, led by Bob Wills at the time, won the 4th Test on their rivals backyard in Melbourne by a narrow 3 runs. It was pacer Norman Cowans 6/77 that saw off the hosts as they just about managed to get the Australians bowled out after being set a target of 292 runs. The Test match was regarded as one of the greatest last wicket chase in history. Allan Border along with No.11 Jeff Thomson put up 74 runs before falling shy of 3 runs.
England vs. Australia, Birmingham, 2005 - 2 Runs
England vs. Australia, Birmingham, 2005 - 2 Runs
One of the most extraordinary Test matches ever played. The Ashes has brought out the best of every player to have played and the 2nd Test at Birmingham witnessed history. In that very Test match 1176 runs were scored, all 20 wickets were taken as England (407 & 182) beat Australia (308 & 279) by a precarious 2 runs. A meagre 2 runs but gigantic in significance as Man of the Match Andrew Flintoff scored two half-centuries and had bowling figures of 3/52 and 4/79 to help England escape with a two-run win, their narrowest Test win in cricket history. They managed to pull-off another heist by 2 runs, saying they did a '1982 Melbourne' once again, this time, by just, 2 runs.
West Indies vs Australia, Adelaide, 1993 - 1 Run
West Indies vs Australia, Adelaide, 1993 - 1 Run
Australia have been at the receiving end of narrow losses, but this particular one, would haunt the Allan Border led team forever. With West Indies travelling with lethal players such as Ian Bishop, Carl Hooper and Sir Curtly Ambrose, Adelaide witnessed history. West Indies (252 & 146) beat Australia (213 & 184) by 1 run. Ambrose's 6/74 and 4/46 was the difference between the two sides as the Windies pulled off the narrowest win in Test cricket history.
