Summary Younis Khan continued with his glorious form to complete his 3rd century in 3 consecutive innings
ABU DHABI: (Web Desk) – Pakistan scored 304 runs for the loss of 2 wickets on first day of the second test. Going 1 – Nil up in the series after winning the first test of the 2-test series, Pakistan opened this game in a much more confident manner. The team that had lost 2 wickets for 7 runs in first 19 balls of the first test was able to score 304 runs for the loss of 2 wickets only on first day of the second test.
Pakistan won the toss and chose to bat on what looked a straight batting wicket. Ahmad Shehzad and Mohammad Hafeez opened the innings for Pakistan and scored at a reasonable pace to see the new ball off without losing any wicket. Owever, Ahmad Shehzad was taken by Lyon on a ball that pitched middle and leg and straightened to hit him right in front of the stumps.
Azhar Ali joined Hafeez in the nineteenth over. Hafeez batted well for his 45 with the help of only one boundary but he was undone by Mitchell Johnson on a sort of ball that gets him almost every time. It was in the zone to be hit into covers, shaped away, Hafeez followed, his feet followed his bat after it had edged the ball and it was routine catch for the wicket-keeper Haddin. Pakistan was 96 for 2.
It was at this time that Younis Khan joined Azhar Ali for a memorable partnership that saw both the middle-order Pakistani batsmen scoring tons in a yet-to-be-broken 200+ runs partnership. Younis Khan took off from exactly where he had left in second innings of the first test. With 10 boundaries and 1 six, Younis Khan is still not out for 111 off just 155 balls. He has certainly been brilliant this innings and undoubtedly throughout his exceptional career. With most number of centuries (27) in Pakistan’s Test history, Younis Khan is still young enough to muster up a few more in his career before getting retired. He has scored 3 centuries in 3 innings of this series and doesn’t seem to be tiring at all.
On the other hand, Azhar Ali, who was batting quite slow in the initial phases of his innings, picked up the pace in the last session of the day and scored his individual 100 too in the last over of the day. He is also undefeated as yet and has hit 6 boundaries for 101 runs off 223 balls.
It was a tough day for the bowlers who were unable to penetrate into Pakistani batting side. There was 1 each for Johnson and Lyon while for Starc, Siddle, Marsh, Maxwell, Clarke and Smith it was one of the most difficult days in scorching heat of Abu Dhabi and apparently with no success. Pakistan will continue with its centurions tomorrow morning.
