Gritty Younis scores century to help Pakistan draw South Africa

Set 451 for victory after the visitors declared their second innings on 318 for two, Younis stroked an unbeaten 131 as Pakistan lost just one wicket on the fifth day to reach 343 for three.

Younis got solid support from skipper Misbah-ul-Haq (76) as the pair put together an unbroken fourth-wicket stand of 186. Their partnership was a record for any Pakistan wicket against South Africa, eclipsing the 161-run second-wicket stand between Kamran Akmal and Younis scored in Lahore during the 2007/8 season.

"He is a world class player and he proved it today. It was a pleasure playing with him today," Misbah told reporters.

South Africa began the day with high hopes of pushing for victory but did not help their chances by spilling three catches.

Younis was dropped twice, with his score on 16 and 70, while Misbah was put down at short leg when he had scored just eight. Pakistan began the day on 109 for two with Azad Ali and Younus at the crease.

The duo stretched their third-wicket stand to 82 before Ali, on 63, fell when he was bowled by left-arm spinner Paul Harris with a ball that beat the batsman's defensive prod to peg back his off stump.

South African captain Graeme Smith blamed the flat pitch for the draw at the Dubai international cricket stadium.

"The pitch got too slow and flat, making life difficult for bowlers," said Smith. "So we did not have much options to create chances. No one knew what to expect from this pitch. Maybe we lacked the killer punch today but its been a successful trip so far."

The two teams will now turn their attention to the second, and final, match of the series which starts in Abu Dhabi on Saturday.

Score Board

SOUTH AFRICA (I Innings): 380
PAKISTAN (I Innings): 248
SOUTH AFRICA (II Innings): 318/2 decl
PAKISTAN (II Innings, O/n: 109/2):
Hafeez c Botha b Steyn    34
Umar c Kallis b Botha    22
Ali b Harris    63
Younis (not out)    131
Misbah (not out)    76
Extras (B-6, LB-4, W-5, NB-2)    17
Total (for 3 wkts, 117 overs)    343
Fall of wickets: 1-41, 2-75, 3-157.
Bowling: Steyn 22-6-82-1, M Morkel 22-4-46-0, Harris 31-10-57-1, Botha 38-7-138-1, Kallis 4-2-10-0.