Pakistan's current test team has achieved a lot since Misbah took over its reins in 2010. Likewise, its batsmen, particularly Younis Khan, Misbah Ul Haq, Azhar Ali, and Asad Shafiq have achieved a hell of a lot over this period - more than what any of their predecessors ever achieved.

All these achievements have become a little bit sweeter with what Azhar and Asad have managed to do in Australia. Their feats have been remarkable.

While Asad was the hero at the Gabba, Azhar owned the MCG!

1. First Double Century by a Pakistan Batsman in Australia

Azhar Ali's unbeaten 205 in the boxing day test at the MCG is the highest score by a Pakistani batsman in Australia in 33 years and earned him the honor of becoming the first ever batsman from Pakistan to hit a double century in Australia.

2. Highest Score by a Visiting Opener in Australia

Azhar Ali's 205* is only the fourth double century by a visiting opener in Australia and the third highest score by a visiting opener in Australia.

3. First Double Century by a Visiting Opener at the MCG

Azhar Ali's 205* broke Virender Sehwag's record of the highest score recorded by a visiting opener at the MCG and earned him the honor of becoming the first ever visiting opener to hit a double century at the MCG.

Azhar Ali is only the third opener ever in the history of test cricket to score a double century at this historical venue. The other two are Bill Lawry and Justin Langer.

4. 1,000 Tests Runs in a Calendar Year

During his double century knock at the MCG, Azhar Ali completed 1,000 runs in test cricket in 2016. This first time he has achieved this feat since his debut in 2010.

Azhar became only the 5th batsman from Pakistan to complete 1,000 runs in test cricket in a calendar year, after Mohammad Yousuf, Younis Khan, Inzamam Ul Haq, and Mohsin Khan.

Azhar's tally of 1,155 is the third highest by a Pakistani batsman in a calendar year, and he has the opportunity to improve that to the second highest if Pakistan get a second innings crack at the MCG.

5. Most Runs by a Pakistan Opener in a Calendar Year

Out of Azhar's 1,155 runs this year, 939 runs have come as an opener, which is the second highest tally by a Pakistan opener in tests in a calendar year.

6. Pakistan's / World's Leading Run Scorer in 2016

With 1,155 runs in tests in 2016, Azhar is the leading run scorer from Pakistan and sits at number 5 among the leading run scorers of the year.

And look at that average! Second best among top 10 runs scorers of the year, behind only Virat Kohli.

Azhar Ali has had a magnificent year in test cricket. A triple hundred and a double hundred in the same calendar year is rare, and he has become the first batsman from Pakistan to achieve this feat. He is just entering his peak years as a batsman and one can only imagine what more he can achieve going forward.

No one expected Pakistan to chase 490, so when Pakistan ended day 4 with only 108 more to get with 2 wickets in hand, expectations changed.

Hopes rose even further as the target got to less than 50 on the 5th day.

But then, when another 40 odd runs were required, Pakistan lost Asad Shafiq, the man who had turned the first test between Pakistan and Australia on its head.

It was a monumental effort by Asad Shafiq, which took Pakistan to 450 in the 4th innings. Easily their highest every 4th innings total, and the joint third highest 4th innings total ever.

This Pakistan team has surprised us way too many times over the past 6 years, and especially in the 4th innings. The successful record making run chases in Sharjah and Palakelle, and now this epic effort at the Gabba.

The man behind Pakistan achieving this record, created some records for himself too.

Asad Shafiq has been a great addition to Pakistan's test line up and his performances at number 6 have played an instrumental role in the rise of Pakistan's test cricket over the past 6 years.

He is undoubtedly the best number 6 that Pakistan have ever had, and now he is very close to being considered the best number 6 ever to play test cricket. His record shows you why.

Most Runs at Number 6 in Tests

Steve Waugh is the ultimate number 6 and sits above all other batsmen in terms of number of runs scored in tests from this batting position.

Asad is fast approaching Waugh and is now only 400 odd runs away from becoming the leading run scorer in tests from number 6.

Most Centuries at Number 6 in Tests

It will take a few innings before Asad Shafiq becomes the highest scoring number 6 in test cricket history, however he has already created a record for making the most centuries from that position breaking the record of 8, which was held by Sir Gary Sobers.

Unique Pakistani Feat

As Asad brought up his first century in Australia in his first test downunder, Asad manage a unique feat that only Saeed Anwar had managed before him.

Asad is the only batsman from Pakistan, besides Saeed Anwar, who has scored a test century in Australia, South Africa, and England.

None of the greats who have played tests in all these countries have managed that. Inzamam, Mohammad Yousuf, Younis Khan, none of them.

That is surely a great achievement by Asad.

Asad Shafiq is a HERO!

I am an 80s kid who has grown up on Pakistan cricket and the magic they have produced.

Javed Miandad's last ball six, Waqar Younis' last ball yorker, Pakistan's World Cup 1992 win, and the numerous unbelievable victories orchestrated by the wizardry of the two Ws created an entire generation of Pakistan cricket fans who dare to dream.

Who believe that the impossible can be achieved.

Who never lose hope.

For whom the famous words from Miandad "the match is not over till the last ball is bowled" are etched in memory forever and they live by it.

I consider myself the most optimistic Pakistan cricket fan, yet even I had lost all hope when Pakistan were bowled out for 142 in the first innings and then eventually set a target of 490.

490! Never done before.

To top that, Pakistan's batting had been abysmal in the first innings, the two tests in New Zealand, and in the third test against the West Indies.

How could anyone hope for a miracle?

Not many did, but when Asad Shafiq's magnificence led Pakistan to within 100 runs of the target at the end of day 4, all of Pakistan dreamed again.

Even with only two wicket left, hope had become alive again and all of Pakistan prayed for a miracle.

It was not meant to be; it was never meant to be, but Pakistan getting to within 40 runs of the target was a monumental effort. It is an achievement that deserves all the praise in the world for the effort and the belief of Team Misbah.

It would have been an epic chase, but even now it will go down in history as an epic 4th innings fight.

This Team Misbah has surprised us way too many times now, especially in the 4th innings of tests.

It has once again stirred belief in supporters that the teams of the 80s and 90s had done.

The scoreline sure reads 1-0 to Australia, but Pakistan's hopes for Melbourne and Sydney have multiplied and the Aussies will surely need to step up their game to keep Team Misbah at bay!