Bishoo gives Pakistan a taste of their own medicine

"I'm so happy. I don't have the words to explain that, I'm really, really happy. More happy of the position we put oursel...

"I'm so happy. I don't have the words to explain that, I'm really, really happy. More happy of the position we put ourselves in the Test match, so that we could win the Test match." © AFP

In October of 2013, Pakistan went into the final Test of their two-match series with a realistic chance of becoming the first nation to beat South Africa at home in seven years. Misbah-ul-Haq won the toss and predictably decided to bat. In less than three hours Pakistan had been bowled out for just 99. Imran Tahir had run through their lower order, finishing with 5 for 32. Almost as if to prove that there were no demons in the pitch, South Africa then responded with the then highest score ever in Dubai. A score that wouldn't be surpassed till Azhar Ali scored a triple hundred.

Two years later Pakistan hosted England. The final day of the first Test started with England still trundling along in their first innings, just 46 runs ahead of Pakistan's first innings score. By the end of the day they would be ruing bad light, falling just 25 short of a win after Adil Rashid had run through the Pakistani lower order, finishing with 5 for 64.

It's fair to say they were warned.

Since Pakistan moved to the Emirates in 2010 they've made their name on their ability to play spin. Over these six years touring spinners have fared worse (in terms of average) only in Australia, England and New Zealand - none of which have been particularly famous for assisting spin. And only in Australia of those three countries have touring spinners gone at a higher rate. Pakistan's reputation, it would seem, is well earned.

And yet, every now and then, they revert to their old selves, as if to remind everyone that the appearance may change, but the soul always remains.

Half an hour before the end of the second session at Dubai on Day 4, it appeared as if even such a scenario couldn't create much problems for Pakistan. But complacency has never been the key to success in Test cricket.

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