The end of the day’s play in the second Test yesterday at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium left us in doubt as to who is in control of this game. And if the pattern continues on a similar note today Pakistan would have their dream fulfilled of winning yet another home series against Australia and that too after 20 years.

But cricket can be cruel as things do change with one good spell of bowling or with one little collapse which in a game of fluctuating fortunes makes all the difference between a hard earned victory and a self inflicted defeat.

History does tell you that many games have been won and lost in circumstances where all calculations fail and luck takes over, such is the charming unpredictability of this game that we follow.

Pakistan I would say was lucky indeed to have the won the toss to bat on a placid pitch which captain Misbah-ul-Haq predicted it would on the eve of this Test.

It offered little help to Australian bowlers. Both pace and spin looked mute and ordinary as Pakistan after a reasonably secured start by Mohammad Hafeez and Ahmed Shehzad cashed on it.

In all respect Pakistan batsmen made a sensible contribution in the day’s play extracting all that they could out of a frustrated attack which the Australians had on offer. Highly eccentric and unusual field placing by the Australian captain Michael Clarke even did not deter Younis Khan and his partner Azhar Ali who handed them not only punishment but also more than concern about levelling this series.

Younis’s sterling qualities as one of the most successful batsmen of our era was in once gain in full view as he struck his third successive century against the Aussie and his 27th in all.

When you think of a similar feat 90 years ago by the England and Yorkshire opener Herbert Sutcliffe against Australia, only then you begin to realise what a marvellous achievement this has been by Younis.

His presence in the middle and his overwhelming dominance with the bat was an abject lesson for any aspiring batsman as it was for young Azhar Ali, the other century maker who says: “It was inspiring to bat with such experience hand like Younis, I watched in awe as he continued to punish the bowlers.

“With four days to go it is a long way to go yet but we are certainly in a very happy position,” Azhar added.

Pakistan surely have a firm hold if the first day’s play is any indication of the outcome of this series.

Five years before his death I did meet Sutcliffe during a Test at Headingley. He was in a wheelchair and frail and yet, very keen about the game he so well dominated as a batsman with his opening partner Holmes.

Published in Dawn, October 31st, 2014