The Hindu : Sport : Well-constructed century from Younis

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Saturday, Jan 14, 2006

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Sport

Well-constructed century from Younis

S. Dinakar

Good support from Yousuf, Pakistan in commanding position

— Photo: S. Subramanium

LONE BRIGHT SPOT: Yuvraj Singh's brilliant effort on the field to run out Salman Butt was the only time that things went India's way.

Lahore: Younis Khan likes the sight of Indian bowlers. His confidence levels soar, he times the ball, and he finds the gaps. And he often celebrates by raising his arms in triumph.

It was no different at the Gadaffi Stadium on Friday. The Pakistan vice-captain's unbeaten 147 (243b, 19x4) and his undefeated 190-run third wicket association in only 245 balls with Mohammed Yousuf (95 batting, 124b, 11x4, 1x6) put the host in a position — 326 for two — from where it could well dictate the flow of events on the remaining four days in the first Allianz Test.

The combative Younis was involved in another crucial partnership — he added 124 in 259 balls with opener Shoaib Malik for the second wicket — that put the Pakistan innings back on course after the early loss of Salmat Butt.

Placid pitch

It was hard going for the Indian bowlers. The placid pitch, completely bereft of grass, held little for the pacemen; there was hardly any bounce or seam movement for them. The spinners achieved some turn, although it was slow. There are indications that this pitch could increasingly assist the spinners as the match unfolds.

If Pakistan builds an imposing first innings score, then leg-spinner Danish Kaneria could emerge a major factor on this dry, dusty pitch. There are cracks on the surface, but how much these fissures will widen, could depend on the weather.

It was a day when India missed someone of express pace who could beat the batsmen in the air. It is here that Shoaib Akhtar, with his speed and reverse swing, could emerge another key player in this contest.

"We played on a similar pitch against England, and there was a result within five days," said Younis later.

Lapse

Only one wicket — Malik — fell to a bowler. And it stemmed from a lapse in concentration from the batsman, who chose to drive a widish delivery from Irfan Pathan without using his feet, and holed out in the covers.

Earlier, in the pre-lunch session, Butt missed out on the feast due to a brilliant piece of work from Yuvraj Singh. The fielder swooped on the ball at short mid-wicket, and his on-the-run throw caught Butt, who was turned back by Malik, short of the crease.

The Indian bowlers did their cause little good with some ordinary bowling after the first session. On this pitch, where line and length were mandatory and the margin for error very less, the Indians strayed in the last session and were taken to the cleaners by Younis and Yousuf.

That Kumble operated to a five-man on-side field in the latter stages did not augur well for the side; India was being forced on the back-foot. Earlier on, some marginal leg-before shouts went against the leg-spinner. Younis may not be the most elegant batsmen around, but is a positive customer who can upset the rhythm of the bowlers.

The Pakistan vice-captain's 10th Test century was a well-constructed effort. Younis survived a confident leg-before shout from Pathan early on — the ball appeared to pitch in line and was heading for the stumps after the batsman pushed forward — but opened out with some strong off-side play, his area of strength. Younis cover-drove Agarkar and square-cut Pathan.

Leg-side shots

There were some leg-side shots on view as well from him, when he swung Pathan to the square fence and glanced Kumble. The Pakistani reached his fifty in 111 balls and then raced to the three-figure mark.

"There was some moisture in the wicket early on and the Indians bowled well. My main objective was not to play slowly," he said.

And Yousuf, an experienced, attractive batsman with a wide range of strokes and a liking for the big stage, sizzled in the partnership. He cover-drove and pulled with aplomb. The Pakistani often drilled the balls through the gaps with the precision of a top marksman.

Earlier in the day, opener Shoaib Malik justified the faith of the selectors who preferred him to Imran Farhat. He drove with sweet timing and dumped Harbhajan Singh over the mid-wicket fence, jumping down the track.

Younis, though, had the final word. "The bottom-line is that it was our day," he said.

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