3rd Test: England’s nightmare continues

Younus shares unbroken 194-run stand with Azhar as Pakistan lead by 180.


Afp February 04, 2012

DUBAI:


Younus Khan proved his class with a superb hundred to put Pakistan in a good position on the second day of the third and final Test against England.


The 34-year-old scored an unbeaten 115 to repair the Pakistan innings with youngster Azhar Ali (75*) through an unbroken third-wicket stand of 194 to take their team to 222 for two at close and extend their lead to 180.

Pakistan had earlier conceded a 42-run lead in the first-innings after bowling England out for 141.

Younus, Azhar make England toil

So in command was the duo that England’s bowlers, who wrecked Pakistan for 99 in the first-innings, looked helpless and it seemed as if the match was not played on the same pitch on which 16 wickets fell on the first day.

Azhar, who has often praised Younus’ support for youngsters, batted with caution during his 14th half-century. He has so far hit 11 boundaries and six. Younus, who had only 66 runs in the last four innings, notched his 20th Test hundred – the first from either side in the series – with a sweep off Monty Panesar, reaching the milestone off 166-balls. Younus has so far hit 11 boundaries and a six.

Younus later revealed that his failure in the first-innings motivated him to score a hundred.

“I was very angry at how I got out in the first-innings,” he said. “So that was an added motivation. When I went to bat, I wanted to do something which no one had done in the series – score a hundred.”

Early wobble

However, before Younus and Azhar got together, Pakistan lost openers Taufeeq Umar (six) and Mohammad Hafeez (21) in another disastrous start, leaving them at 30 for two at lunch and in danger of another collapse.

But after the interval, Younus opened up once England captain Andrew Strauss introduced Jonathan Trott, smashing the part-time bowler to square-leg boundary to bring up Pakistan’s 100. Azhar and Younus took Pakistan to 120 for two at tea and continued to dominate even after England took the second new ball.

‘Younus took the game to us’

Meanwhile, England opener Alastair Cook was fulsome in praise for Younus and Azhar.

“The characteristic of the pitch has certainly changed,” said Cook. “It’s easy to judge but full credit to the way they batted, especially Younus who took the game to us.”

Earlier, Abdur Rehman took five for 40 – his second five-wicket haul of the series – to help dismiss Enlgand for 141 after the tourists had resumed on 104 for six. Captain Strauss top-scored with 56 and hit five boundaries during his laborious 150-ball stay at the crease.

Younus Khan

“I was very angry at how I got out in the first-innings. So that was an added motivation for me. When I went in to bat, I wanted to do something which no one
had done in the series – score a hundred.”

Michael Vaughan

“Younus has fast feet and good defence. It’s a credit to him and Azhar that DRS was hardly mentioned yesterday. That’s what happens when you get two world-class batsmen playing with their bats and not their pads.”

Geoffrey Boycott

“For a quality player with a great Test record, Younus has had a very lean series until now. But he’s a class player, a bit like Javed Miandad who was a street-fighter. You want people who will stand up for you.”

Published in The Express Tribune, February 5th, 2012. 

COMMENTS (3)

Ali | 12 years ago | Reply

Pakistan is enjoying third test knowing they own the series already :)

S.M Arsalan Arif Khan | 12 years ago | Reply I don't blame the England bowlers so much, it is reminiscent to the way the I've watched the Pakistani bowlers defend bad performances, over and over again throughout my life. At one point or another, deflation, sometimes, does kick in. It has been a strange series, defying everyone's logic. As soon as you put an eye on the spinners, the seamers get the limelight: Same goes for the pitches, DRS and now the poor batting. Bipolar Test cricket is a treat to watch.
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