Younis Khan celebrates his century
Asad Shafiq and Younis Khan cracked sagacious centuries to recover Pakistan after early losses on the opening day of second Test in Newlands, Cape Town on Thursday.
Shafiq (111 not out) and Younis (111) shared 219 runs for the fifth wicket, a record partnership by Pakistan for any wicket against South Africa, as tourists recovered from 33-4 to reach 253-5 at stumps.
The comprehensive partnership between the pair ended with the dismissal of Younis, who got caught behind off Vernon Philander 13 balls before the close.
Witnessing a horrible collapse in the top-order, Pakistan were seemed in danger of another humiliation following their 211-run defeat in the first Test in Johannesburg.
Younis and Shafiq launched a remarkable recovery and started rebuilding the innings gradually. Initially their progress was pretty slothful and they could manage to score just 14 runs in the first 13 overs after lunch but they gained momentum progressively.
The first 50 partnership between the pair came off 151 deliveries while there was a stark contrast in second as it took just 88 deliveries.
Younis completed his 21st Test century, his fourth against South Africa with the help of six boundaries and three sixes from 192 balls. He hit another boundary before Philander edged him behind the stumps. Initially umpire Bruce Oxenford turned down the appeal but after Proteas reviewed the decision it showed that the ball kissed his thing pad before being secured off AB de Villiers’ gloves.
Determined Shafiq brought up his third Test ton off 201 balls with 13 fours and a six.
Earlier, South African seamers vindicated skipper Graeme Swann’s decision to bowl first under the cloudy conditions, and removed Pakistan’s top-order cheaply.
Philander dealt the first blow to the tourists by edging opener Nasir Jamshed behind the stumps before Steyn scalped Mohammad Hafeez.
The tourists had not yet recovered from the back-to-back blows when Morne Morkal sprinkled more slat on Pakistan wounds by claiming Azhar Ali (4) and skipper Misbah-ul Haq (0) in the same over.
