Pakistan's quickest 20-wicket collapses in Test history

Pakistan cricket team is in tatters following their 194-run defeat in the second Test against England at Lord’s. The Babar Azam-led side hasn’t been able to cross the 200-run mark across four innings in the series so far, and their batters, barring a few occasional performances, have nothing to show for themselves.

However, the dismal batting show isn’t something new in Pakistan cricket, as they have been suffering repeated collapses in Test matches. As the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) brings in measures to improve their performances in England, here’s a list of the top five worst collapses in their cricketing history in terms of balls taken:

5. 1^st Test vs England at Headingley, Leeds, 2026

Pakistan suffered a defeat within the first three days of the Test match as they got bundled out for 171 and 135 in the two innings respectively. They got skittled within 85.4 overs (510 balls) across two innings. As a result, England won the match by an innings and 103 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

4. 1st Test vs England at Nottingham, 2010

Pakistan’s 2010 tour to England was disastrous in more ways than one as three of their players were infamously involved in a spot-fixing scandal. As a result, on-field performances suffered as Pakistan could only score 182 and 80 across two innings in the opening Test and got all out within 498 balls (83 overs). England won the match by 354 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series.

3. 3^rd Test vs New Zealand at Seddon Park, Hamilton, 2001

Pakistan missed out on a great opportunity to win the Test series due to another poor effort with the bat. In reply to New Zealand’s first innings score of 407/4, they could only post 104 and 118 in the two innings respectively. They could only bat for 76.4 overs (460 balls) for the two innings respectively, handing New Zealand a victory by an innings and 185 runs, who managed to level the series 1-1.

2. 4^th Test vs England at Lord's, 2010

Pakistan’s hopes of levelling the series were shattered with a shambolic batting show as they could only score 74 and 147 in the two innings respectively after being asked to follow on. It took just 69.5 overs (419 balls) for England to wrap up both innings and register a comprehensive win by an innings and 225 runs.

1. 2^nd Test vs Australia in Sharjah, 2002

Pakistan suffered an embarrassing defeat against Australia in the second Test at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, getting all out for just 59 and 53 in the two innings respectively. They could only bat for 56.4 overs across two innings as the Test match finished inside two days.