In the first Test match at Rawalpindi in October 1998, Glenn McGrath produced one of the finest displays of fast bowling ever seen on a subcontinent pitch. Known for being flat and lifeless, this track offered little to the bowlers — but McGrath turned it into a battlefield. With deadly accuracy, subtle seam movement, and relentless pressure, he consistently troubled Pakistan opener Aamir Sohail and left fans in awe of his control and strategy. This video revisits that rare and intense battle, showcasing how true fast bowling can dominate even in the most challenging conditions. Watch the spell that proved McGrath didn’t need pace-friendly pitches to leave a mark — just a ball, a plan, and an unshakable will to succeed.
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SportsTranscript
00:00In the first test at Rawalpindi in October 1998, Glenn McGrath delivered a masterclass
00:05in fastballing, relentlessly targeting Amir Suhail on an unresponsive flat deck.
00:11With unwavering accuracy and subtle movement of the seam, Glenn McGrath transformed a batting
00:17paradise into a stage for pure pace artistry.
00:21Time and again, he unsettled Amir Suhail with deliveries that kissed the corridor of uncertainty,
00:27beating the bat and drawing gaps from the crowd.
00:29It was not raw speed but precision, patience and mental disintegration, a trademark McGrath
00:36spell.
00:37That reminded the world how true fastballing could dominate even when the pitch refused
00:42to cooperate.
00:43A battle not often talked about, but for those who watched it, it was unforgettable.
00:47Let's roll back the tape and relive that unforgettable contest.
00:52It's a bit there for the spinners but not a great deal.
00:56The cracks are still here.
00:58So we'll just get the low balls, slow, low spin.
01:02But what about the Pakistan team?
01:04Is this a good enough pitch to bat for two days?
01:07Or at least, I think, a day and a half and get a lead of 150.
01:11Got little bits of green grass coming out, so the pitch is quite firm still.
01:16We're going to get that low bounce.
01:17It probably will play as good as it has done for the last three days.
01:21I don't see any change in it at all and what they have to do with Pakistan is make sure
01:26they bat in a reasonable, positive manner, not just occupy the crease because I don't
01:31think they're going to manage to bat for two whole days.
01:33Got to try and get a lead of 150 so they can put pressure on Australia when they bat last.
01:38Captain of the team, his team is in very serious trouble.
01:42And if you're a snooker fan, you can say that Pakistan is behind the eight ball.
01:55Short lifting, a beautiful line.
01:57It's pretty high, but the armor had nothing to do with it again.
02:03Very sensible evasive action taken by.
02:09He's going to dig in, but he didn't, he let the ball go.
02:37And this one just guided towards the left of second slip.
02:44Spot four, but I thought he could have just, well, left the ball alone too.
02:52Somebody in front of the side screen, Dan McGraw has to turn back.
02:59Hopping on to the back foot and gliding it past where the test doesn't get.
03:05Another fine delivery from McGraw.
03:11Attacking the batsman all the time.
03:15This is only just to test the batsman.
03:18And that is the right way to test the batsman.
03:20So that the ball should be grazing either the ear of the batsman or the ribs of the man.
03:25And that is what exactly what McGraw did.
03:28And you'll notice that they've gotten Langer right at Srinivasan.
03:35And I said, if that was, the ball came from the ass to the stärker.
03:40And you'll notice that there is a good ball already in Canada.
03:44The ball came up with the ball that the ball came from the bottom of the top.
03:48He has been using this
04:01Late on, his body was lost
04:03He was lost
04:04And I will say for Amr Suhail, I will say that
04:08Amr Suhail is out
04:10What was happening
04:12Nagar has been completely pressured
04:14Amr Suhail has completely lost
04:17I'll be doing my work for a future or your back jump key there
04:23will be
04:25I'm
04:27I'm
04:29I'm
04:31I'm
04:33I'm
04:35I'm
04:37It was not just balling, it was art with a touch of warfare.
05:07Amir Sohail played and Miss, nudged nervously, wore a few on the body as well.
05:11There was no verbal sludging, just a cold stare, the McGrath signature.
05:16For Amir Sohail, it was a nightmare in broad daylight, on a pitch where batters were expected
05:21to cash in.
05:22Glenn McGrath turned the tables, rewrote the script, and turned the dull surface into a
05:27stage for one of the finest exhibitions of controlled aggression.
05:32Fastballing is not always about speed, it's about hearts, brain, and unforgiving line.
05:38And McGrath has all three in abundance.
05:41Glenn McGrath fastballing in the subcontinent was a masterclass in discipline and adaptability.
05:47While many quick struggled on slow, low, and unresponsive pitches, Glenn McGrath thrived
05:53through relentless accuracy, nagging line and length, and subtle seams movement.
05:58He did not rely on raw pace or extravagant swing.
06:01Instead, he used the crease cleverly, extracted whatever bounce was available, and constantly
06:07challenged the batters.
06:08His ability to create pressure, even on decile surfaces, made him a lethal weapon in condition,
06:14traditionally favoring spin, proving that intelligence and consistency can outclass the pitch.