Honours even as Younis, Shafiq stand tall for Pakistan
The experienced Younis 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. -Photo by AFP
CAPE TOWN: Centuries by Younis Khan and Asad Shafiq transformed Pakistan’s fortunes on the first day of the second Test against South Africa at Newlands on Thursday.
Will Cape Town witness a Pakistan fightback? | Junaid Khan ruled out of Cape Town Test due to injury | Pakistan gain little from Cape Cobras win | ‘If there is one team that can bounce back, it’s Pakistan’
Pakistan were 253 for five at stumps, having been reeling at 33 for four after being sent in.
Younis was caught behind off Vernon Philander 13 balls before the close for 111, while Shafiq was unbeaten, also on 111.
The pair put on 219, a record partnership for any wicket by Pakistan against South Africa.
It was a remarkable turnaround after the South African fast bowlers scythed through their top order early in the day.
Pakistan seemed in danger of another humiliation following their dismissal for a record low of 49 on the way to a 211-run defeat in the first Test in Johannesburg.
“After the first Test match we had a lot of meetings and chats about how we play Test cricket,” said Younis.
“It was tough again this morning but everyone knows that if you have a good partnership you have a good chance to come back.
“It is all about the partnership and how you motivate yourself again and again and fight for your country.”
Graeme Smith’s decision to bowl was prompted by cloudy weather, which followed early morning rain.
It seemed fully justified as Morne Morkel took two wickets and Philander and Dale Steyn claimed one each, with none of the batsmen looking comfortable.
Younis, Pakistan’s most experienced batsman, had to survive some challenging deliveries from Steyn at the start of his innings, and admitted: “I was lucky, I played a few balls and missed.”
Shafiq followed a fighting half-century in the second innings in Johannesburg with an innings which grew in quality the longer it progressed.
“Asad Shafiq is improving every day, he has a good future for Pakistan,” added Younis, who also said he had encouraged the younger player by advising him to play his natural game.
“My theory is very simple. If there is a ball (to hit), go for it.”
It was slow going at times, with Younis and Shafiq adding only 14 runs in the first 13 overs after lunch.
The 50 partnership was posted off 151 balls, but their second 50 was scored off 88 deliveries and the pair scored freely in the afternoon before the second new ball was due.
Younis reached his 21st Test century — and his fourth against South Africa — after facing 192 balls and hitting six fours and three sixes, all of the sixes coming off left-arm spinner Robin Peterson.
The stocky Shafiq followed in the last over with the old ball, notching his third Test hundred off 201 balls with 13 fours and a six.
Steyn appeared to have made a breakthrough with his third delivery with the new ball when Younis, on 105, was adjudged leg before wicket by umpire Steve Davis.
But the batsman immediately called for a review which showed that the ball flicked the inside edge of his bat before crashing into his front pad.
Younis then fell victim to a successful review by South Africa after being given not out by umpire Bruce Oxenford. Replays showed he had been caught behind off an inside edge and his thigh pad.
Philander said he felt that South Africa had bowled well.
“The wicket is pretty good,” he said.
“We knocked over four quite quickly, then Younis and Shafiq played very well. Overall it was a good bowling performance.”
The Younis-Shafiq stand lasted for 439 balls and gave Pakistan heart after a poor start.
Opening batsmen Mohammad Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed started cautiously, scoring just ten runs before the left-handed Jamshed was caught behind off Philander for three.
He had survived a chance to Faf du Plessis at gully off the previous delivery.
Hafeez edged Steyn to first slip after making 17 before the tall Morkel took two wickets in an over, having Azhar Ali caught behind attempting an extravagant drive before Pakistan captain Misbah-ul-Haq was caught at short leg off a sharply rising delivery.
Teams:
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.
I adore some Great Players of Pakistan & i m surprised that why Pakistan has not been able to produce such players…!! I recall, in my views, Zaheer Abbas – I rate him above Sachin – despite being Indian..!! He was as Finest as Sunil Gavaskar. Asian Bradman was much above Miandad’s cricketing level, but, due to some unknown reason, He couldn’t played even half of Miandad..!! Imran khan, Sarfraz Nawaz, Wasim Akram ( the most favourite star of mine in the world ), Abdul Kadir, …!! where are such cricketers…?? I really miss those cricketing ICONs…!! .
how come no news of PSL these days ?……after all those big talks of $2million insurance for foreign players … and higher remuneration for players than IPL ……..
younis century will earn him century of matches in which he would have nothing on scorecards. its how this cgewing gum man had chewed paki cricket… a pathetic player. well done asad shafiq
misbah must retired in all forms of cricket
Warne used to make kallis, culinan, infact whole RSA do “Mujraa” and when he will get tired seeing all there moves, he use to send them packing. Lesson for Pakees.
Just pissed with heysman again blaksam said the game will be over by Saturday noon.
So happy for Asad Shafique, despite being used as badly as possible across the 3 formats, he has shown that you cannot suppress the talent and hardwork by any means. Now is the time to realise that he should be a regular in all 3 formats. He has the technique and temperament for test matches, aggression and strike rotation for limited overs cricket.
Even the biggest critic of Asad, Mr.Ramiz who cannot see beyond Umar Akmal is finally admitting his class. For God sake, Ramiz, stop bullying Sarfaraz now, he is playing his 3rd test only, he has shown behind the stumps that he is miles better than any of akmal and his batting skills will improve with experience besides he has piled up runs in domestic so he is not a novice with batting plus he is playing in SA against the best bowling attack and when your top 4 cant handle that attack why put blame on Sarfaraz.
Despite the wonderful performance by our spinners in last couple of years, it is still a sad sight not being able to put a truly world class fast bowler on world stage after the cricketing demise of Aamir and Asif. Gul is inconsistent , Junaid is hardworking, clever but not someone whom batsmen would fear.
Have we finally run out of the stock of true fast bowlers?
Where is the anti-Pakistan lobby today? Why are they so silent?……………………….
Pakistani Cheeta Younis Khan…..I love his batting…I know he is too much sensible batsman…All the time when he starts with concentration, gives a good performance……
Well done Gentlemen, this was long overdue. Now the Pak bowlers need to earn their bread.
Best best wishes
awsome innings both both YK and AS , they just showed the entire world how to come back from tremendous pressure – simply brilliant..
Bravo…………. Asad u proved it u can play on merit u dont need parchee like many in our team
Not a front news or not a well deserve coverage for Asad and Younis . All of you guys only interested if Akmal brothers or there neighbor do something , than it is front news. We are divided country even by our press.
Guys making comment here,don’t say that centuries by Younis Khan and Asad Shafiq is on Asian dead pitches or that South Africa is worst team .Its not going to cut ice,Asad Shafiq has been very consistent and its always beneficial to have senior players as you can never put them out in any form of cricket.
Very awesome batting by Younis Khan…old is Gold. I knew it whenever Younis Khan is in poor form he always comes up with a brilliant performance. Love you Y.K.
Yea after 8 matches or something
but good performace never the less.
Asad Shafiq, despite young and playing South Africa for the first time, was brilliant and Masha Allah he is still not out. Younis, as always, is an excellent player for Pakistan and even Muhammed Yoousuf should be included in Test squad if Misbah like players are playing then Muhammed Yousuf should also be played.
Good reply by Younis and Asad. Well played.
The batting of the ‘green-shirts’ must click otherwise it will be a repeat show of the first test match.
“Our target is to lose less wickets in the first few hours.”….hhhmmm…target achieved i guess
It was a negative statement, which showed the defensive attitude.
“Our target is to lose less wickets in the first few hours.”…. What a target Misbah has set for his team !!! Looks like he missed his target
i think today would be Graeme Smith’s 101st test match as captain. His 100th was the previous test match.
This Smith’s 100th Test as ‘Captain of South Africa’…..he captained the world XI in one Test…remember?