Pakistan press for win over England

Younis joins 9,000 Test-run club

AFP, DUBAI: Pakistan grabbed three wickets including the key scalp of Alastair Cook to sense victory in the second Test against England after Younis Khan smashed a century in Dubai on Sunday.
Pakistan will need another seven wickets to force a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after Younis's brilliant 118 helped them set a daunting 491-run target for England.
The first Test ended in a draw in Abu Dhabi.
At close England were 130-3 with Joe Root unbeaten on a fighting 59 and with him Jonny Bairstow on six not out as they still need 361 for an unlikely victory or bat out the final day on a weary Dubai stadium pitch on Monday.
It will be a tough task for the England batsmen as the pitch was offering turn with leg-spinner Yasir Shah and left-armer Zulfiqar Babar posing a real threat. Earlier Pakistan declared 35 minutes after lunch, with Younis scoring his 31st century, Misbah-ul-Haq 87 and Asad Shafiq making 79.
England were tottering at 45-2 at tea but Ian Bell (46) and Root defied Paksitan bowling during their 102-run stand for the third wicket and looked to take England safely to stumps.
But Babar broke the partnership when he spun a sharp delivery which Bell tried to leave but gloved it to the slip where Younis took an easy catch. Earlier, it was Younis who set the tone for a big target.
Younis punched paceman Stuart Broad to the point boundary for his 11th four to reach three figures off 193 balls, his third hundred against England.
He was finally dismissed as he tried to pace the run-rate, skying a catch off leg-spinner Adil Rasheed. In all he hit 13 boundaries during his 354-minute knock. Younis completed 9,000 Test runs during his 116 run knock on Saturday.
The 37-year-old achieved the milestone when he reached 47 during the knock on the third afternoon. He is the first Pakistani and 14th batsmen in all to score 9,000 or more Test runs.

Pakistan press for win over England

Younis joins 9,000 Test-run club

AFP, DUBAI: Pakistan grabbed three wickets including the key scalp of Alastair Cook to sense victory in the second Test against England after Younis Khan smashed a century in Dubai on Sunday. Pakistan will need another seven wickets to force a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after Youniss brilliant 118 helped them set a daunting 491-run target for England. The first Test ended in a draw in Abu Dhabi. At close England were 130-3 with Joe Root unbeaten on a fighting 59 and with him Jonny Bairstow on six not out as they still need 361 for an unlikely victory or bat out the final day on a weary Dubai stadium pitch on Monday. It will be a tough task for the England batsmen as the pitch was offering turn with leg-spinner Yasir Shah and left-armer Zulfiqar Babar posing a real threat. Earlier Pakistan declared 35 minutes after lunch, with Younis scoring his 31st century, Misbah-ul-Haq 87 and Asad Shafiq making 79. England were tottering at 45-2 at tea but Ian Bell (46) and Root defied Paksitan bowling during their 102-run stand for the third wicket and looked to take England safely to stumps. But Babar broke the partnership when he spun a sharp delivery which Bell tried to leave but gloved it to the slip where Younis took an easy catch. Earlier, it was Younis who set the tone for a big target. Younis punched paceman Stuart Broad to the point boundary for his 11th four to reach three figures off 193 balls, his third hundred against England. He was finally dismissed as he tried to pace the run-rate, skying a catch off leg-spinner Adil Rasheed. In all he hit 13 boundaries during his 354-minute knock. Younis completed 9,000 Test runs during his 116 run knock on Saturday. The 37-year-old achieved the milestone when he reached 47 during the knock on the third afternoon. He is the first Pakistani and 14th batsmen in all to score 9,000 or more Test runs.