Asked to bat, Pakistan posted 277 against Alan Hurst (4-61) and Geoff Dymock (3-65), largely due to Javed Miandad’s unbeaten 129. Rick Darling (75) and Allan Border (85) then took Australia to 143-1 before Imran Khan (3-105) and Mudassar Nazar (3-48) restricted them to a 50-run lead.

Hurst (5-94) then reduced Pakistan to 153-6 but Asif Iqbal (134 not out) stood firm, taking Pakistan to 263-9 when Sikander joined him.

At this point Asif’s legendary ability to run singles came to the forefront. Over a 37-minute partnership of 22, Sikander faced only three balls (without scoring a single run).

As expected, Sikander, at the non-striker’s end, was keen to run for a single off the last ball of the 86th over. Hurst, the bowler, noticed him outside the crease, knocked the bails off, and got the dismissal in his favour.

Sikander became the fourth – and till date, last – non-striker to be ruled run out in such manner in Test cricket.

Australia needed 236, and Darling and Hilditch, the openers, took them to 87 – an inauspicious number to some in Australia –  without much fuss.

Then Sarfraz Nawaz bowled at Darling, who played the ball to mid-off. The throw from there was slightly wayward, and went towards Hilditch at the non-striker’s end.

Hilditch picked up the ball and lobbed it towards Sarfraz, but Sarfraz was in no mood to collect it. Instead, he appealed for handled the ball. The umpire ruled Hilditch out, making him the second batter to be out in this fashion in the format.

Till date, there have been seven handled the ball dismissals in Test cricket, but only one at the non-striker’s end.

Darling (79) and Border (66 not out) ensured Australia won the Test match by seven wickets without much fuss.

Watch Andrew Hilditch get out handled the ball here: