We took Bedi, Prasanna to the cleaners; robbed them: Javed Miandad recounts India’s 1978-79 tour to Pakistan | Cricket - Hindustan Times
close_game
close_game

We took Bedi, Prasanna to the cleaners; robbed them: Javed Miandad recounts India’s 1978-79 tour to Pakistan

Hindustan Times, New Delhi | By
May 04, 2020 12:32 PM IST

Pakistan won the three-match Test series 2-0 and both Miandad and Abbas were severe against the famous Indian spin troika - Bedi, Prasanna and Chandrasekhar.

Recounting India’s tour of Pakistan in 1978-79, former Pakistan captain and coach Javed Miandad said tackling the famous Indian spinners of that time was a cakewalk for them and in fact, the likes of Bishan Singh Bedi, Bhagwath Chandrasekhar and Erapalli Prasanna were taken to the cleaners by him and legendary Zaheer Abbas during that tour.

File photo of Javed Miandad (Extreme right) with teammates(Getty Images)
File photo of Javed Miandad (Extreme right) with teammates(Getty Images)

Miandad, who was relatively new to international cricket at that time having made his debut a couple of years ago, had a fantastic series against India in 1978-79 along with Zaheer Abbas.

Pakistan won the three-match Test series 2-0 and both Miandad and Abbas were severe against the famous Indian spin troika.

“Chandrasekhar, Bedi, Prasanna... India’s strength was this, their spinners. And they did well around the world but when they came here (Pakistan), they were taken to the cleaners. Our players robbed them for so many runs,” said Miandad in his Youtube channel.

Also Read | Would’ve given my life for him: Gambhir recalls Aus series to credit legend

The Pakistan batsman, who scored 8832 runs in 124 Tests at an average of 52.57, recounted a match at Faisalabad, which was also the first Test of the series to narrate how he and Abbas had rendered Indian spinners helpless.

“I remember that Chandrasekhar was giving some troubles to Zaheer bhai. Toh he told me ‘Javed please tackle him for me’. I obviously said yes. Meanwhile from the other end, Zaheer bhai was taking a lot of runs off Bedi sahib, Prasanna. Then I said, ‘Zaheer bhai please allow me to take some runs too, I will also use my feet against them. I’m stuck here. I won’t take a single off the last ball.’ During that time players used to look after each other. If I’m having some troubles then my partner will take control and vice-versa,” said Miandad.

 

Both Miandad and Abbas scored big hundreds in that game and forged a 255-run partnership for the fourth wicket. Zaheer Abbas was the top-scorer with 176 and Miandad scored 154 to take Pakistan to 503/8 dcl in the first innings.

Also Read | ‘Hope he’s playing’: Ellyse Perry responds to Murali Vijay’s dinner wish

India replied with 462/9 dlc with a hundred from GR Viswanath and fifties from Sunil Gavaskar and Dilip Vengsarkar. The match was drawn.

The fate of the Indian spinners, however, did not change as Abbas slammed a double hundred - 235 - in the second Test at Lahore to lead Pakistan to an 8-wicket victory.

Javed Miandad scored another hundred at Karachi and India lost that Test match by 8 wickets despite a superb century from Gavaskar to lose the series 2-0.

Miandad praised Chandrasekhar, who retired with 242 wickets in 58 Tests for India, for his line and length.

“Chandrasekhar was a bowler who was very difficult to play on the front foot, you can’t play him off the front foot. When I played against them I kept that in mind.

When the Indian spinners were new in their spells and kept close-in fielders I used to charge down the wicket to make force them to take out the close catchers. Because I used to get restless if I didn’t score runs. It’s a different matter to stay in the crease but you have to score runs too, that is your main job,” added Miandad.

Stay updated with the latest Cricket News, IPL Live Scores, and get exclusive insights with the RR vs DC Live Score, IPL 2024 Schedule, match highlights, and more. Explore a comprehensive Cricket Schedule, track the race for the Purple Cap and Orange Cap in IPL 2024, check Virat Kohli performance and stay ahead with all the cricket-related updates on the Hindustan Times website and app.
SHARE THIS ARTICLE ON
Share this article
SHARE
Story Saved
Live Score
OPEN APP
Saved Articles
Following
My Reads
Sign out
New Delhi 0C
Friday, March 29, 2024
Start 14 Days Free Trial Subscribe Now
Follow Us On