Younis helps Pakistan foil South Africa
Younis Khan capped his return to Test cricket with a brilliant
unbeaten century to help Pakistan draw the first Test against South
Africa on the fifth and final day on Tuesday.
The 32-year-old right-hander - playing his first Test since July 2009
because of an indefinite ban and differences with fellow players -
finished with 131 not out to take Pakistan to 343-3 in the first-ever
Test at the Dubai Stadium. Younis's 17th Test hundred thwarted South
Africa's pace-cum-spin attack as they managed just one wicket in the
three sessions to leave the fate of the two-Test series on the second
match, starting in Abu Dhabi from November 20. Younis was ably supported
by Misbah-ul-Haq - leading Pakistan in a Test for the first time - who
scored an unbeaten 76 during an unbroken fourth wicket stand of 186, a
new record in all Pakistan-South Africa Tests. The previous best of 119
was between Jacques Kallis and Hashim Amla at Johannesburg in 2007. With
scant assistance from the pitch, South Africa also fell short on
fielding as they dropped three crucial catches, two off Younis and one
off Misbah hurting their chances of a win.
Younis brought up his 17th Test century with a towering six off
spinner Johan Botha three overs before the tea break, his third against
South Africa, as he continued to frustrate the bowlers who got no
support from the fifth day pitch.
Younis, who hit four sixes and nine boundaries during his 230-ball
knock, also added 82 runs for the third wicket with Azhar Ali who fell
after making a sedate 63.
Misbah, who was also on a Test comeback after being dropped from the
team for the six-Test tour of England earlier this year, hit eight fours
and a six during his 185-ball knock. DUBAI, Tuesday, AFP
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