Misbah, Azhar score centuries as Pakistan continue to dominate

Published November 2, 2014
Pakistani batsmen Azhar Ali (R) and Misbah Ul Haq run between wickets during the fourth day of the second test cricket match between Pakistan and Australia in Abu Dhabi. — AFP
Pakistani batsmen Azhar Ali (R) and Misbah Ul Haq run between wickets during the fourth day of the second test cricket match between Pakistan and Australia in Abu Dhabi. — AFP

ABU DHABI: Pakistan set a mammoth 603-run target for Australia to win the second Test and save the series after declaring their second innings on 293-3 on the fourth day in Abu Dhabi on Sunday.

That put Pakistan well on course for a 2-0 series win after winning the first Test by 221 runs. Pakistan have not beaten Australia in a series since their 1-0 win at home in 1994.

Azhar Ali scored 100 not out while Misbah-ul Haq was unbeaten on 101, setting a new world record for the fastest Test half-century off just 21 balls and equalling the fastest century record of 56 balls.

Misbah, who was derided for his slow scoring rate, not only scored the fastest half century in terms of deliveries but also in terms of time spent on the crease. The national team captain hit four sixes and an equal number of boundaries to reach his fifty.

The previous record for fastest half-century was held by South Africa's Jacques Kallis, scored off 24 balls against Zimbabwe at Cape Town in 2004, whereas Bangladesh's Mohammad Ashraful held the record for the fastest fifty in 27 minutes against India in 2007.

Pakistan had a 309-run lead going into their second innings after scoring 570-6 declared in their first innings and in reply dismissed Australia for 261 but Misbah did not opt to enforce a follow-on.

Earlier during the day Australian spinner Steven Smith claimed the wicket of Younis Khan who was plum leg before wicket. Khan had scored 46 runs off 122 balls.

During the first innings of the match Younis Khan had scored a double century to take Pakistan to 570-6(dec) while also equaling a 90-year record of scoring three back to back centuries against the Australians.

Pakistan won the first Test in Dubai and lead the two-match series 1-0. The green shirts are seeking their first series win over Australia for 20 years.

Opinion

Editorial

Judiciary in the dock
Updated 22 Feb, 2025

Judiciary in the dock

Recent developments in SC and IHC certainly seem to have lent credibility to perception that judges perceived as a 'threat’ are being sidelined.
Paying taxes
22 Feb, 2025

Paying taxes

FINANCE Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb’s ‘hard talk’ at a retail business conference on Thursday was long ...
Rules for thee
22 Feb, 2025

Rules for thee

IT was a year ago when, in the tumultuous aftermath of the 2024 elections, the state banned X. Today, it remains...
Ukraine initiative
Updated 21 Feb, 2025

Ukraine initiative

Whether Trump’s Ukraine peace initiative succeeds or not, it will be difficult for Kyiv, Europe to face Russian military machine without US support.
High cost of SOEs
21 Feb, 2025

High cost of SOEs

THERE are losses and then some. The finance ministry’s latest overview of the federally owned state enterprises...
Poor impression
21 Feb, 2025

Poor impression

RECENT developments in the Senate have provided cause for concern on how parliamentary business is being conducted....