So you'd think a simple matter of 40 runs to get with 7 wickets in hand would be, well, simple. If anything, you might lose one, maybe two batsmen, but eventually get over the line without much drama. But Australia and Pakistan proved there was one more twist in the tale of a viciously back-and-forth Test match, as the Aussies almost rendered their first innings debacle moot, while Pakistan held on by the skin of their teeth to record their first Test victory over Australia in 15 years.
Resuming at 140/3, Azhar Ali got to his maiden Test 50 in the second over of the day, but edged a good away-moving delivery from Doug Bollinger behind the next ball. The Aussies smelled blood, with acrobatic fielding, vociferous appeals and sharp bowling putting pressure on the nervous batsmen. Lots of balls missed the outside (and sometimes the inside edges), and there were more than a few head-in-hand moments as the Pakistani batsmen edged deliveries through gaps in the slip cordon for 4. An edge from Umar Akmal off Ben Hilfenhaus went to Tim Paine, and Pakistan found themselves at 150/5. Suddenly, the 30 runs for victory seemed further away than expected.
With day 4 not going as expected, Pakistan raced to 13 runs in 6 overs in that passage of play. They kept edging forward, before Marcus North took a stunning catch at extra cover to get rid of Shoaib Malik off Ben Hilfenhaus for 10, and Pakistan were now 161/6 - only 19 left for victory, but Australia were into the tail. Kamran Akmal may not top any "best wicketkeepers" lists, but his three boundaries made him the most popular person in Pakistan as he brought the required number of runs into the single digits. But then - believe it or not, more drama, as he slashed a Mitchell Johnson delivery to gully, where Michael Hussey took a great catch. Or did he? Hussey was convinced the catch was clean, but Akmal stood his ground, and the TV replays proved inconclusive. The benefit of the doubt went to the batsmen, and Australia rued a major chance going a-begging. An edged 4 from Mohammed Asif brought the scores level, before a blinding catch from - you guessed it, Michael Hussey, from the bat of - yep, Kamran Akmal, off the bowling of - yep, again, Mitchell Johnon resulted in the 7th Pakistani wicket falling, with only 1 run left to score. It fell to Umar Gul to crash his first ball through the covers to cue the triumphant - and incredibly relieved - scenes from Pakistan, as they leveled the 2-game series.
So one of the most interesting and memorable Test matches in recent times came to an end. Not too many teams could reduce Australia to 88 all out in the first innings, and then defeat them in four days, and still come dangerously close to losing the game. At best, this game was all about Australia being Australia - never, ever, giving up - and Pakistan being Pakistan - never, ever being predictable. But the end result reads that Pakistan recorded their first Test victory over Australia since 1995, and their first in thirteen Tests. Australia's disappointing tour of England (3-2 against England, 0-2 against Pakistan in the Twenty20s and 1-1 in the Tests) comes to an end, and Ricky Ponting must surely be thinking that his quest to defend the World Cup and regain the Ashes just became a little more difficult.
As a side note, Rudi "Slow Death" Koertzen retired at the end of this game, bringing to an end a career that spanned 106 Tests, a record 209 ODIs and 14 Twenty20 internationals. He leaves the game as one of the most respected and iconic umpires, his characteristic - what Cricinfo called "Dalek-like" - slow signal of dismissal giving batsmen, bowlers, captains, commentators and crowds the world over many heart attacks. He will be sorely missed - but, dare I say, not by too many batsmen.