Younis, Ali put Pakistan in driver's seat

An unbeaten century by Younis Khan, the first of the series, took Pakistan to a superb position as they piled on a 180-run lead at the close of the second day of the third Test against England on Saturday.

The hosts ended the day on 222 for two in their second innings to leave number one-ranked Test side England facing a third defeat in the three-Test series unless the struggling tourists suddenly strike form.

The England bowlers laboured as an unbeaten 194-run partnership between Younis (115 not out) and Azhar Ali threatened to take the match away from Andrew Strauss' men, who must bat last having crumbled in a similar position in the second Test in Abu Dhabi.

Younus's 20th Test century was studded with 11 fours and one six and came of 195 balls as the 34-year old batsman skillfully worked through England's pace and spin attack.

Azhar eased to his half-century and was unbeaten on 75 off 246 balls at stumps.
The post-lunch run-scoring was in stark contrast to what has been seen in the match and series so far. This Test, being played at the Dubai International Cricket stadium, had already seen 22 wickets fall in less than two days. Six wickets tumbled in the morning session.

score board

PAKISTAN (I Innings): 99 all out

ENGLAND (I Innings, O/n: 104/6):

Strauss st Akmal b Rehman    56
Anderson b Rehman    4
Broad lbw Ajmal    4
Swann c Rehman b Ajmal    16
Panesar (not out)    0
Extras (B-1, LB-4)    5

Total (all out, 55 overs)    141

Fall of wickets: 1-5, 2-7, 3-64, 4-75, 5-88, 6-98, 7-106, 8-121, 9-133.

Bowling: Gul 7-1-28-2, Cheema 4-0-9-0, Ajmal 23-6-59-3, Rehman 21-4-40-5.

PAKISTAN (II Innings):

Hafeez lbw Panesar    21
Umar c Strauss b Anderson    6
Ali (batting)    75
Younis (batting)    115
Extras (LB-4, NB-1)    5

Total (for 2 wkts, 82 overs)    222

Fall of wickets: 1-16, 2-28.

Bowling: James Anderson 16-5-24-1, Stuart Broad 12-3-38-0, Monty Panesar 33-7-84-1, Graeme Swann 19-2-58-0, Jonathan Trott 2-0-14-0.