Quick march: Younus wants to cash every 'big innings' opportunity

Pakistan veteran says he does not have much international time on his hands

Younus Khan guides the ball towards the leg side. PHOTO: AFP

DUBAI:
Veteran batsman Younus Khan on Sunday warned England can fight back to foil Pakistan's victory bid in the second Test in Dubai.

Pakistan were in sight of a victory after getting three key wickets before stumps on the fourth day, with England 130-3 - chasing 491 - still needing 361 runs for victory or bat out the final day for a draw.

The first Test of the three-match series ended in a draw in Abu Dhabi.

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Younus said the match will not be over quickly on Monday.

"I have always said that this is not an England team which succumbs to the spin," said Younus . "This is a changed England team which has the capablity to fight so it will be hard work for us."

England were struggling at 19-2 after losing Moeen Ali (one) and the in-form skipper Alastair Cook (ten) before Joe Root (unbeaten on 59) and Ian Bell (46) put on a 102-run stand for the third wicket to lead the recovery.

Younus praised Root.

"The way Root is playing at the moment it is fantastic for me that a young guy from Yorkshire plays spin bowling very well," said Younus of Root whose fifty is his 12th this year.

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"I think there is still hard work for us if we want to win this game," said Younus who notched 118 for his 31st hundred on the fourth morning.


His hundred helped Pakistan declare their second innings at 354-6.

Younus said he wants to cash on to every batting opportunity.

"I feel that I don't have much time so I want to cash every opportunity I get," said Younus. "Probably I am not there after three four years so I am happy to perform whenever I get the opportunity and want to convert it into a big innings."

Younus said he still wants to play in one-day cricket.

"I have always said that I have not retired from one-day cricket," said Younus dropped after a poor show in the World Cup in Australia and New Zealand earlier this year.

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"I want to perform well in that format and I will be there (playing one-day cricket) one day."

England's assistant coach Paul Farbrace stressed his team needs to fight.

"We've got to come back with the attitude that we can survive the day. I thought the way Bell and Root played was excellent," said Farbrace.

"I thought that's what the two of them showed today, if you apply yourself and you are very clear on how you are looking to play you can survive on that pitch.

"We have to show we can learn quickly."

The third and final Test starts in Sharjah from November 1.
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