I can think of several instances.

The World Cup Quarterfinal in Bangalore in 1996. Rashid Latif smashed a straight six and I started hoping that he would do wonders at the crease and Pakistan will go past India's big total. But Pakistan fell short by 30-40 runs.

The test against Australia in Colombo in 2002. Chasing a 300 plus score in the 4th innings, Pakistan ended day 4 on 170 odd for 3 with Younis Khan at the crease. Another 150 odd was required for victory on the final day with 7 wickets in hand. Not an easy task by any measure yet I hoped that Younis along with Faisal Iqbal or Rashid Latif would take us home. But Pakistan fell short by 40 or so runs.

The test against India in Delhi in 1999. We were set an impossible target of 420, but Saeed Anwar and Shahid Afridi had put up a century opening partnership. Pakistan were 100-0 and I was dreaming of a record run chase. Instead the record being made was Kumble taking all 10 Pakistani wickets.

And there are so many other matches in which we dreamt of Inzamam, or Moin Khan, or Shahid Afridi to play that special innings that would lead Pakistan to a magical successful run chase.

So when England's fans and even Graeme Swann were dreaming yesterday of a mega opening partnership between Strauss and Cook, or of a dream innings from Matt Prior, it felt really good to be on the other side of the fence!

We knew it was not going to happen.

We knew how many times we wanted that from Pakistan's batsmen and they failed us.

We knew that it was all but a dream for the England fans.

We knew that a Pakistani win was just round the corner.

We knew, didn't we?

Finally, Pakistani fans are on the other side!