Younus saves Pakistan on Test return

Younus Khan scores a resolute century as Pakistan finish at 343-3 on the final day of the first Test match.

DUBAI: Younus Khan capped his return to Test cricket with a brilliant unbeaten century to help Pakistan draw the first Test against South Africa on the fifth and final day.

The 32-year-old right-hander – playing his first Test since July 2009 – finished with 131 not out to take Pakistan to 343 for three in the first-ever Test at the Dubai Stadium.

Defying the attack

Khan’s 17th Test hundred thwarted South Africa’s attack as they managed just one wicket in three sessions to leave the fate of the two-Test series hanging on the second match, starting in Abu Dhabi from November 20. With his effort Pakistan achieved their best total in the fourth innings of a Test, beating the 341 for nine they made against the West Indies at Port of Spain in 1988.

Misbah plays supporting role

Khan was ably supported by Misbahul Haq – leading Pakistan in a Test for the first time – who scored an unbeaten 76 during an unbroken fourth wicket stand of 186, a new record in all Pakistan-South Africa Tests. The previous best of 119 was between Jacques Kallis and Hashim Amla at Johannesburg in 2007.

Azhar’s second half-century of the match

Khan hit four sixes and nine boundaries during his 230-ball knock and also added 82 runs for the third wicket with Azhar Ali who fell after making a sedate 63. He reached his hundred with a towering six off spinner Johan Botha.

Meanwhile, Misbah, who was also on a Test comeback after being dropped from the team for the six-Test tour of England earlier this year, hit eight fours and a six during his 185-ball knock. Khan’s innings highlighted the importance of his position in a fragile Pakistan batting line-up, exposed during team’s 3-1 defeat against England on the tour ended in September.

With scant assistance from the pitch, South Africa also fell short on fielding as they dropped three crucial catches, two off Khan and one off Misbah hurting their chances of a win.

Smith rues missed dropped catches

South Africa captain Graeme Smith, disappointed with the result after his side dropped crucial catches, praised Khan’s efforts.

“Unfortunately, we missed a few chances which probably put us on the backfoot. Once Khan especially got in, he batted superbly well. Credit to him for his knock,” said Smith of Khan’s hundred.

Disappointment galore for the Proteas

“I guess we’re a little bit disappointed we couldn’t close it off, but it was always going to be a big push I think,” said Smith.

“The pitch got a lot slower as the game went on and we knew it would be tough to get them out,” added the captain, who himself made a hundred in the first innings. However, the South Africa captain refused to criticise the pitch.

“I think the wicket was a bit of an unknown thing. We even chatted with the groundsman and even he wasn’t sure how it would play over five days.

“It just seemed to get slower and more difficult for bowlers to get response out of it. Hopefully there will be more on offer for the bowlers in Abu Dhabi.”

Younus Khan

“We counterattacked and South Africa went on the back foot a little. There wasn’t much pressure. We just had to bat positively and play accordingly. Azhar Ali played well in both innings and his future looks good.”

Graeme Smith

“We knew it would be hard work. The wicket got slower and slower and it was difficult to get people out. Credit to Younus and Misbah. On a wicket like this, you’ve got to take those chances.”

Published in The Express Tribune, November 17^th, 2010.