PakvAus: Three-ton Younus schools Australia

Veteran batsman undaunted by distracting fielding; takes Pakistan to 304-2

ABU DHABI: An unruffled Younus Khan made light of Australia’s desperate fielding tactics to become the first player in 90 years to score three centuries in successive innings against the Kangaroos, propelling Pakistan to a commanding position of 304-2 on day one of the second Test at the Sheikh Zayed Cricket Stadium.

England’s Herbert Sutcliffe was the last man to achieve the feat back in 1924-25 against the Aussies. Younus also became the fourth Pakistani to score three consecutive tons after Zaheer Abbas, Mudassar Nazar and Muhammad Yousuf.

Younus remained unbeaten on a 155-ball 111 – his 27th Test century – studded with 10 boundaries and a six, while Azhar Ali struck his Test career’s sixth ton and was undefeated on 101, that came off 223 balls with the help of six strikes to the fence.

The Younus-Azhar partnership fetched 208 runs for the third-wicket stand, and it was the former’s 54th partnership of over 100 runs in Test cricket.

Opting to bat first, Pakistan’s Ahmed Shehzad (35) and Muhammad Hafeez (45) started off well, but failed to maintain their hold on the pitch and fell to Nathan Lyon and Mitchell Johnson respectively.

Thereafter, Australia missed easy opportunities as Azhar was dropped on 34 and 79, while Younus also received a lifeline on 92.

“Younus made it easier for me to play around him by controlling the match, enabling me to score this memorable hundred against Australia,” Azhar told reporters.

“It’s a special moment for me to score a century against Australia, and Younus’ third consecutive ton against them has doubled my joy.”

Aussies’ negative tactics fall flat

Facing the unyielding Pakistan batsmen on a placid track, Australia captain Michael Clarke inexplicably chose one of the most bizarre and negative fielding tactics witnessed in cricket history; on several occasions, he placed a fielder right behind the bowlers’ arm.

Asked whether he complained to umpires about the field placements, Azhar replied, “I enquired about the fielder right behind the bowler’s arm, but came to know that it’s ok to place him there if he doesn’t move during the delivery.”

Clarke admitted that he was running out of ideas and had to place fielders in unorthodox positions.

“We couldn't take as many wickets as we would have wanted [despite the tactics] and that's disappointing,” said Clarke. “We’ll try to come out tomorrow [Friday] and get some quick wickets and will then try to make sure that we make it count in our innings and score big.

“The wicket will get slower as time goes on, but so far there wasn’t much turn for the spinners.”

 

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