Former http://www.senore.com/Cricket/South-Africa-c757 at Dubai.
Younis who was making a comeback in the test team after almost a year in wilderness due to off-field issues was back to his absolute best almost straight away as he posted his 17th test hundred and third in as many tests against the Proteas to
pull his team out of the mire.
Resuming at the overnight score of 109/2, Azhar Ali and Younis Khan started in a jittery fashion as Younis survived a scare when he was dropped by the usually reliable Mark Boucher behind the stumps with his score on 16.
From there on he and Azhar Ali carried on to defy the Proteas for more than an hour, Azhar notched up his fourth half century in only his seventh test.
He was eventually dismissed by left arm spinner Paul Harris when he sneaked one through his defences to rattle the stumps with his score on 63.
Azhar compiled his runs off 150 balls striking 7 fours in his stay at the wicket which was for more than 180 minutes.
Pakistan were in a spot of bother after his demise and captain Misbah ul Haq who was leading the country for the first time in the longest format of the game had to step up to the plate and show his real worth.
He had an appalling record in 4th innings of test matches before this innings, possessing an average of 12 runs.
However he applied himself manfully, after surviving a drop chance.
http://www.senore.com/Cricket/Johan-Botha-c67173 was the unlucky South African bowler as his short-leg fielder Hashim Amla dropped a tough chance diving to his left as Misbah prodded forward defensively.
Younis Khan meanwhile regained his composure after the let off and along with his captain took Pakistan to lunch in a relatively comfortable position of 187/3.
The post lunch session was all Pakistan as Younis first completed his half century off 120 balls, and then played some attacking shots to ease the nerves in the Pakistan camp.
He survived another scare when the Proteas took the second new ball, a fired up Steyn once again found the edge of his bat and the ball flew towards the slips region where Jacques Kallis positioned in the second slip dived full length to his right but failed
to hold onto a difficult chance.
Younis was 70 not out at that time, and the drop chance proved costly as he notched up his 4th hundred in second innings, 17th overall and third in as many matches against the Proteas.
He faced 187 balls for his first 101 runs, which included 9 fours and 2 sixes; he reached the ton with a massive strike over widish mid-on.
Misbah completed his half century in similar fashion, hoisting a big six over wide mid-wicket. He hit 6 fours and 1 six in his first 50 runs.
At tea, Pakistan were 284 runs without any further loss of wickets.
The Proteas needed some quick breakthroughs after the tea session, yet it appeared that they were going through the motions in the last session of the match.
Their resolve had broken and Misbah and Younis cashed in taking Pakistan to 343/3 when the match was called off.
Younis was unbeaten on 131 while Misbah remained not out on 76; the two seasoned campaigners added 186 runs for their unbroken fourth wicket partnership.
The second and final test in the series would start in Abu Dhabi from the 20th of this month.
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