23
Abdul Rehman took 5-40 -- his second five-wicket haul after a career-best 6-25 in Pakistan's 72-run win in the second Test in Abu Dhabi. -Photo by AFP
DUBAI: Experienced batsman Younis 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 played here on Saturday.
The 34-year-old right-hander scored an unbeaten 115 to repair the Pakistan innings after early wobbles with youngster Azhar Ali (75 not out) through an unbroken third wicket stand of 194 to take their team to 222-2 at close.
Pakistan, who conceded a 42-run lead in the first innings after England made 141, now lead by 180 runs with eight wickets intact.
So in command were 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.
Younis, 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 shot off left-arm spinner Monty Panesar for two, reaching the milestone off 166-balls.
Younis has so far hit 11 boundaries and a six.
Ali, who often praised Younis’s support for youngsters, batted with caution during his 14th half-century. He has so far hit 11 boundaries and six.
Before the two came together, Pakistan had lost openers Taufiq Umar (six) and Mohammad Hafeez (21) in another disastrous start, leaving them at 30-2 at lunch and in danger of another collapse.
But after lunch, Younis opened up once England captain Andrew Strauss introduced Jonathan Trott, smashing the occasional bowler to square-leg boundary to bring up Pakistan’s 100.
He then heaved Graeme Swann for another boundary and in the next over hit Trott for his sixth boundary to complete a well deserved half-century, his 26th in all Tests.
They took Pakistan to 120-2 at tea and continued to dominate even after England took the second new ball at 216-2.
Earlier Abdul Rehman took 5-40 – his second five-wicket haul after a career-best 6-25 in Pakistan’s 72-run win in the second Test in Abu Dhabi.
Pakistan won the first Test by ten wickets, also in Dubai.
Paceman James Anderson again gave England an early breakthrough, forcing an edge off Umar which Strauss held in front of his knees in the slips.
Hafeez, who hit a six off Monty Panesar, fell leg-before to the left-armer in his next over, leaving Pakistan in trouble at 28-2.
Captain Strauss top-scored with 56 for England before he was stumped by wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal off Rehman. Strauss hit five boundaries during his laborious 150-ball stay at the crease.
Resuming at 104-6, England lost nightwatchman Anderson in the first over of the day when he missed a sharp turning delivery from Rehman and was bowled.
Two overs later, Rehman’s spin partner Saeed Ajmal trapped Stuart Broad (four) and after Strauss’s fall wrapped up the innings when Swann (16) holed out in the deep.
Ajmal finished with 3-59.
Pakistan about to whitewash while India whitewased twice;what a great feeling.
In short, for the good of our motherland, PAKISTAN..let us bring in change.Let IMRAN KHAN lead the country.
Pakistan Zindabaad.
Farooq
congratulations to all the pakistan cricket team for their outstanding performance in test,that infused the craze of cricket game in every body, i assure that pakistan cricket team will be no 1 team in the world because there is no lack of talent in pakistan, so wishing the pakistan cricket team best of luck to continue the outstanding performance forever and brighten the name of the pakistani nation this credit goes to all the members of pcb and inshallah there would be restoration of international cricket in pakistan as well,,,,,,,,,,……..
Great work by the two and especially Ali since he is relatively new. I will say a target must be more than what can be scored in the remaining time by England. Never under estimate the England team and declare early. Play and score as much as possible. Good luck. Without corruption success is at hand. Let our politicians learn form this corruption free success.
bravo !!!! ,pak tem remember honesty is the best policy
Pakistan are going amazingly in the series and i wish the lead goes between 300 to 350 and take England out under 150 and win the series in style and leave the controversies of past and england team bite the dust.
welldone Pakistan! Im sure tht now Pakistan will gv them a remarkable white soup wash nd wil b written n the cricket history aftr 80 years. Good Pakistan.
What a classy knock from such an inspirational contender,Younis Khan. His superb innings of 115* played a double role there in Dubai. First, he came out from the disappointing phase of batting into the last five innings to the luminous exposure of a rare-talent show.Secondly, he provided an opportunity for the great emerging star and apprentice, Azhar Ali to hone his talent and imbue it with patience and composure. As we all already know that Azhar Ali has been bestowed upon excellent and sound techniques by Allah Almighty, which are required for a genuine test player. Younis Khan was a guiding star to the young Azhar Ali. The way Younis Khan and Azhar Ali dealt the spin bowlers with subtle and dexterous techniques was a show that attracted the whole world's attention. Many of the cricket playing nations highly applauded Younis and Azhar's innings. The two Indian greats, Sunil Gavaskar and Kapil Dev stood up from their VIP lounge's seats to applaud Younis Khan for his brilliant hundred. Pakistan should exploit the conditions of the much eased pitch to keep the scoreboard ticking and at least challenge the opponents with 350 target!!!
Well done green shirts ab england ka ego finish
Good show Pakistan
Good luck team Pakistan.
England's defeat is written on the wall now Insha Allah, as Pakistan already gained a 180 runs lead. Even a collapse would earned them 70 more and having 250 on board with world class bowling attack in fourth innings…….. we got you England :p
very very well done Team Pakistan. This is whole the team effort and not the one man show contrary in the case of other teams which is a good sign to Pakistan cricket.
Before the start of the series, every one was saying that beating averaged Westindies, Zimbabwe, Bangladesh and Srilanka is not appreciable effort, then we've almost whitewashed England (so-called world # 1), to Australia we've beaten in world cup, India avoiding to play us, Whats more?
Who is next??????
Congratulation to whole Pakistan on this wonderful performance of Pakistan team. These guys give us the hope to look farward for a good future of PAkistani nation. I fully agree with Mr Ahmed Sulaiman that this is the prime job the politicians which they are not meeting with. Allah have bestowed Pakistan with His blessings. Don't loose hearts friends, Insha Allah, the dawn of happiness will soon come.
Congratulations Younis, Azhar and Team Pakistan.
England is still good enough to make a comeback. Don't be so over confident. One good morning session can overturn the tables. Wait and see.
I agree with you Hanif England still is a good team and they are No1 for nothing they are good enough to come back and teach Pakistan a lesson Waite and see until the game is completely finish.
what a moral boosting effort on Yunis khan,s part.Tomorrow here in America is the annual event , THE SUPERBOWL, but for us Pakistan,s victory will be a bigger event tan that.
keep it up boys, you have given the nation, what no politition has contributed
Congrats to Younis for his century & keep it up Azhar Ali. Remaining middle order has to contribute too. If Pakistan plays for the full third day with a score around 550, nothing would then save England from a White Wash in remaining two days with a good enough humiliation.Saeed, Rehman & Hafeez shakk deliver final blow to the opponents. Hope Hafeez does the trick rather to compensate for his batting in this match. Well done Gul & Azaz Cheema and well done Misbah for steering the team so successfully. Zindabad Pakistan, Zindabad Team Cricket Pakistan.
it is great come back ,I think Pakistan should give them above 350 target
The test match has entered an interesting phase now. If the green-shirts can put around 250 plus runs on the board in the second inning, they are highly likely to be succussful in whitwashing the test series against England, thus writing a new page in the history books of test cricket between the two countries.
Since England has to bat last in the fourth inning, any target of 200 plus runs to chase could be difficult to achieve for them especially when the Pakistani spinners are doing so well against them.
The test match has entered an interesting phase now. If the green-shirts can put around 250 plus runs on the board in the second inning, they are highly likely to be succussful in whitwashing the test series against England, thus writing a new page in the history books of test cricket between the two countries. Since England has to bat last in the fourth inning, any target of 200 plus runs to chase could be difficult to achieve for them especially when the Pakistani spinners are doing so well against them.
Well done team Pakistan. Its a worth watching test match. I think Pakistan is now in a commanding position. They can give 300 plus lead after which England batsmen will be under a lot of pressure. I expect good entertaining test cricket on weekend.
Well done Pakistani Cricket Team. Such victories are required so that Pakistanis feel happiness in these disappointing days resulted by various stakeholders.
I fully agree with Mr Muhammad Abdullah.Present Pakistani Cricket Team has given us a lesson as to how to pull victory from an obvious defeat ( 2nd Test Match). I wish our politicians mature soon and become sincere to the country. If that happens rest all will be OK. Politicians are the forerunners in any political system and remain responsible for all the good and bad in a country.