Pakistani cricketer Younus Khan plays a shot from South African cricketer Vernon Philander on day one of Test match between South Africa and Pakistan in Cape Town at Newlands on February 14, 2013. PHOTO: AFP
Having been reduced to 33 for four before lunch, a 219-run fifth-wicket stand between Younus (111) and Shafiq (111 not out) made the South African bowlers toil in the sun after captain Graeme Smith had won the toss.
The hosts dismissed Younus shortly before the close to leave the match evenly poised.
"After the first test we had a lot of meetings to discuss how we should play test cricket," Younus told reporters. "It was tough again this morning, but after we got through the new ball, if it was there to be hit, we went for it.
”I encouraged Asad to do the same and I think that helped him to relax. The wicket is much better for batting, I was a bit lucky but I hung in there. The bowlers were talking a lot to me but I just kept smiling and trying to hit the bad ball."
Smith had spoken about a "dangerous" Pakistan side following their 211-run defeat in the first test and so it proved as Younus and Shafiq started watchfully before accelerating after tea.
Shafiq was dropped by Dean Elgar at short leg off spinner Robin Peterson when on just 24, but otherwise gave a chanceless performance in reaching his third test century off 201 balls including 13 fours and a six.
Towering sixes
The experienced Younus reached his hundred from 192 balls with six fours and three towering sixes off Peterson. It was his 21st in tests and fourth against South Africa.
He was dismissed on review after an inside edge off Vernon Philander carried to wicketkeeper AB de Villiers.
"I think if we can get through the morning session tomorrow and post 350 or 400 then we have a good chance to win the test," Younus said.
Morne Morkel was the pick of the bowlers with two for 37 from his 16 overs and Philander took two for 45. Dale Steyn deserved more than his one for 34 as he went past the outside edge on numerous occasions.
"Newlands always offers a bit in the morning, so hopefully with a new ball that is only 10 overs old we can get through them quickly," Philander said.
It looked like it was going to be another batting disaster for Pakistan early on.
Nasir Jamshed (3) offered a catch to De Villiers with a loose front-foot drive off Philander, Mohammad Hafeez (17) tentatively pushing forward to a full ball from Steyn and Smith pouched the catch at first slip.
Morkel had Azhar Ali (4) caught behind by De Villiers and four balls later Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq fended a rising delivery into his ribs with his gloves and Elgar took the catch at short leg.
South Africa lead the three-match series 1-0 after their victory in Johannesburg.
South Africa: Graeme Smith (captain), Alviro Petersen, Hashim Amla, Jacques Kallis, AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis, Dean Elgar, Robin Peterson, Vernon Philander, Dale Steyn, Morne Morkel.
Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq (captain), Mohammad Hafeez, Nasir Jamshed, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed, Umar Gul, Saeed Ajmal, Tanvir Ahmed, Mohammad Irfan.
COMMENTS (9)
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@the Skunk:
You make a good point about training our batsmen on bouncy wickets. Whats even more funny is the fact that we are nation known for producing world class bowlers who spend their entire lives bowling on flat and dusty tracks. PCB can make bouncier tracks in northern pakistan, why they haven't been made is another question by itself. I wouldn't bank on a changed admin doing anything, Pakistan cricket has survived solely on raw talents found in our gullys. Salams
A superlative batting performance from the two Pakistani batsmen Shafiq and Younus. No other team could claw back from 30 odd & 4 wickets down-situation to get to a decent 250 against South African pace variety on their ground. Truly awesome performance! Well done, Team Green.
pakistan only scored 75% of their runs from peterson the obselete spinner and today they shold be wrapped up soon.
Honestly speaking this is not that selectors are fools or unaware of ground realities.But in our country those so called critic's and ex cricketer and experts who regularly are there through TV or n/papers forcing their choice and favorites on selectors forcing them on back foot.The other day one of the so called critic/expert was endorsing the inclusion of SAMI.is he unaware of the track record of this bowler.Secondly when ever our team departs for tour,it is always said that those players who scores heavily on our dead/flat tracks be preferred.there is the example Mansoor Akhter of Pakistan.Kubli of India and G Hick of England who scored freely and heavily in domestic cricket but failed in international tours.take recent case of Imran Nazir who failed in every given opportunity but is there giving expert advice.So is the the case of Umer Akmal,believe me this chap will piles ton of run in domestic but will never blossom abroad but may be on flat wicket.Player should be selected looking their attitude as how they are playing,front foot or back foot and are they capable of adjusting their style according to the playing surface and opposite side bowling strength.wish our team good luck.
@SK5: @Adnan:
Agreed! Their stay at the crease was steady and both batsmen played with a passion to reach centuries. They deserve it, especially, Younis who is a senior player and there are fans and sports media persons calling out for his head.
What beats me, is that even after so many disastrous tours of Australia, South Africa, and England, the PCB and its selection board are unable to train the boys in hard and bouncy wickets. After a series one seriously gets down to understanding what went right or wrong. Let us pray, with the new rules of the PCB, the previous selection of the chairman by the patron will be replaced by an elected chairman and members and this will expectantly bring in change. Salams
no comments from Indians....!!!!!!!!!!! wait and see....the moment Pakistan gets in trouble like getting all out or bowling flopping.... ET site will be flooded by Indians comments...
Great performance by middle order,which rises to occasion. That is exactl what the "doctor ordered" let us hope rest of the team gets inspired gives us something to remember.
This was the biggest(219) partnership by a touring team against SA since 2002. Add to that 4 down with 33 on the board and up against the best bowling line up in the world and you know this was truely a world class performance. You score a century against SA in SA, You can score heavily anywhere in the world!!!
Hats off to both Younis and Asad, from 33/4 to 250/4. This is for the first time Pakistan is manage a partnership of 200 and above against Proteas. What a time to achieve this!