00:00Under the crisp Melbourne skies on November 22, 1981, in the heart of iconic Cricket Stadium
00:06, Sikander Bhakt delivered one of the most memorable spells of his limited-hours
00:12career.
00:13It was the second match of the Benson & Hedges World Series Cup, a clash between Pakistan
00:18and Australia that promised intensity and Sikander Bhakt made sure it delivered.
00:24In front of a lively crowd of nearly 20,000 spectators, the tall right-arm Seymour from
00:29Karachi hit the perfect lengths on a surface that demanded discipline.
00:34With unwavering focus and a rhythmic run-up, Sikander Bhakt rattled through the Australian
00:38line-up, returning a splendid figure of 4-for-34 in his 10 overs, including a well-earned maiden.
00:45This was his best ODI performance.
00:47So let's revisit this golden spell from Sikander Bhakt, an effort that encapsulates the art
00:52of controlled seam-balling and Pakistan fighting spirit in the early 1980s.
00:58Well, Greg Chappell's gone anyway.
01:07They're going for the double play.
01:10Greg Chappell caught that mid-off by Wazim Raja, who then threw down the stumps to try
01:18and get Darling out as well.
01:20It was certainly a rather casual attempt at the catch there by Wazim Raja.
01:26He must have felt that he always had it covered.
01:28And in his excitement, he's thrown out the middle stump as well.
01:32And Greg Chappell isn't happy with himself at all.
01:35Darling was in, but would have been out because he jumped just before the ball hit the stumps.
01:41Well, almost a great catch.
01:48That's a great catch.
01:50I was almost certain he nicked that.
01:53He did.
01:54He got his glove around it.
01:55He couldn't hold it.
01:56He went very, very wide to his left.
01:59It was a fairly substantial nick.
02:00And just watch that ball.
02:02And that glove goes out.
02:03It goes in.
02:04And now it comes out as he hits the ground.
02:06Well, almost a great catch.
02:10A big deflection there from Alan Borda and he didn't do well to get a glove around.
02:15He seemed to have caught it.
02:16And then as he went over his gloves, in the roll, out of pot.
02:21Seconder to Darling.
02:27It's in the air and he's out.
02:28He's took that out.
02:29The safra is building a short mid-wicket.
02:31And that's the end of a pretty good hand there by Rick Darling.
02:35He's bowled him.
02:46Pauline bowled.
02:47That one keeping just a little bit low.
02:48For some reason, Alan Borda decided to stay back on his crease instead of coming forward.
02:53And comprehensively bowled there by Sir Kenner.
02:56Let's have a look at this.
02:57I have a suspicion that Borda plays across this ball, trying to hit it on the leg side.
03:02Not bad, but he's on the back foot.
03:05The ball, as Tony Gregg said, just keeping a little bit low.
03:08Passing between bat and pad.
03:10He left the gap.
03:11He left the gate open.
03:12So he's out.
03:13Bow by Sir Kenner.
03:144-6.
03:15And Australia's fourth which has fallen for 80.
03:21Well, that's high and deep down at the outfield.
03:23He jasses underneath that and he's got him.
03:25No, he hasn't.
03:26My goodness, he's dropped it.
03:27He should have caught that.
03:31And it looks like he might have pulled a muscle.
03:32Well, he certainly didn't catch it.
03:34Not only should he have caught it, Tony should have nearly swallowed it.
03:38Bruce Yardley looking for the big hit.
03:40Picking it up.
03:41Nice simple catch out there for Ejaz.
03:43We saw Rizwan take two out in that exact spot yesterday and grounding it.
03:48It's in the air and this could be out.
03:49It's Madasa underneath it.
03:50And he's got him.
03:51Yes, he's got him.
03:52That one went high and wide out towards Feepland.
03:53We're getting Madasa.
03:54Making no mistake.
03:55He can use.
03:56A little frustrated there.
03:57Lost a bit of the strike.
03:58Sean Graff couldn't give it to him.
03:59And then finally falling in this man.
04:01Looking for the big hit.
04:02The outfield hit.
04:03Madasa certainly put the short ones in.
04:04He's a bit nervous out there.
04:05Look at those feet moving.
04:06Like a tap dancer.
04:07And then taking it under the chest.
04:08They've scored on 209.
04:10Every wicket he took was a below to the off.
04:12He's got him.
04:13He's got him.
04:14He's got him.
04:15He's got him.
04:16Yes, he's got him.
04:17Yes, he's got him.
04:18That one went high and wide out towards Feepland.
04:19We're getting Madasa.
04:20Making no mistake.
04:21He can use.
04:22A little frustrated there.
04:23Lost a bit of the strike.
04:24Every wicket he took was a below to the Australian batting engine.
04:32Each dismissal nudging the home side further into a corner.
04:36His incisive polling ensured Australia could only manage 209 for 9 in their full quota of
04:4250 overs.
04:43A total that, while respectable, was always going to be achievable if Pakistan's top order
04:49stood firm.
04:50And that they did.
04:51With calm heads and steady partnership, Pakistan eventually chased down the target.
04:56Clinching a fine for wicket victory and scripting a memorable chapter in the World Series Cup's
05:01history.
05:02Sikandar Bakht was a skilled right-arm fast medium baller from Pakistan, who played international
05:07cricket during the late 1970s and early 1980s.
05:11He was known for his consistent line and length.
05:14Sikandar Bakht often troubled batsmen with seam movement and intelligent variation.
05:19While he did not always enjoy the spotlight like some of his other contemporaries, he
05:25was a dependable performer who delivered crucial spells when it mattered.
05:30In one day international, Sikandar Bakht represented Pakistan in 27 matches, taking 33 wickets at
05:37an impressive average of 26.06, with his best bowling figure of 4 for 34.
05:43A performance that came against Australia at the MCG in 1981.
05:48Although his ODI status may appear modest, his role in building early momentum with the
05:53ball and applying pressure made him a valuable asset in the Pakistan bowling line-up during
05:58his era.
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