Second Test: Younis, Misbah assert Pakistan dominance with 304-4 after day one

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Second Test: Younis, Misbah assert Pakistan dominance with 304-4 after day one

Dawn Sport AFP Published October 21, 2016

Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan run between the wickets. ─AFP

Misbah-ul-Haq plays a shot on the first day of the second Test between Pakistan and the West Indies. ─AFP

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Pakistan, who won the toss and decided to bat first, ended the opening day of the second Test against the West Indies on 304-4 in Abu Dhabi on Friday.

Younis Khan scored his 33rd Test century before being dismissed for 127 while Captain Misbah-ul-Haq was not out at 90 on a batting-friendly pitch at Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

Pakistan's top order failed to make a consistent stand on the first day of the second Test against West Indies.

Asad Shafiq led Pakistan's recovery after the early departure of the openers on the opening day of the second Test against West Indies. He made 68 while Sami Aslam was dismissed for six and Azhar Ali without scoring.

Azhar Ali, who scored a career best 302 not out in Dubai, played on to Gabriel in the fifth over and was bowled without scoring.

Sami Aslam also did not last long as he missed an ambitious drive off leg-spinner Devendar Bishoo and was bowled for six.

Shafiq was at his best from the start, playing with confidence as he has so far hit six boundaries in his 90-ball stay.

He drove paceman Shannon Gabriel to cover boundary for his sixth boundary to complete his 16th half-century to lift Pakistan.

The normal red ball and daylight cricket returned in Abu Dhabi after the first Test was a day-night affair with the pink ball in Dubai, as Pakistan were off to an unimpressive start.

West Indian pacer Shannon Gabriel was the pick of bowlers as he took two wickets for 43 runs.

Younis, who missed the first Test due to recovery from dengue fever, was made part of squad for second test.

"I am very happy the way Pakistan won the Test, the way Azhar scored a triple hundred and joined that elite group. I was watching the match and was very excited when on the last day there were ups and downs. The way West Indies fought and Darren Bravo scored that fighting hundred," Younis Khan said.

West Indies were forced to leave out unfit wicket-keeper batsman Shane Dowrich, bringing in Shai Hope. Younis replaced Babar Azam, whereas Mohammad Amir and Wahab Riaz were replaced by Rahat Ali and Zulfiqar Babar.

The lineup for both teams is as follows:

Pakistan: Azhar Ali, S Aslam, Younis Khan, A Shafiq, Misbah-ul-Haq (Captain), S Ahmed (Wicket keeper), M Nawaz, Y Shah, S Khan, Z Babar, Rahat Ali.

West Indies: K Brathwaite, L Johnson, DM Bravo, M Samuels, J Blackwood, R Chase, S Hope (Wicket keeper), J Holder (Captain), D Bishoo, M Cummins, S Gabriel.

Pakistan lead the three-match series 1-0 after winning the first Test in Dubai by 56 run.The third and final Test starts in Sharjah from October 30.

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Dr. K B Huzen

Oct 21, 2016 02:02pm

Why Amir is out?

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Fez

Oct 21, 2016 02:53pm

@Dr. K B Huzen Because he isnt leading the pace pack, and taking wickets. His job is to take wickets and make it easier for other bowlers to come in and carry on his work. The reason he took many wickets in the past is because one of the classiest bowlers of the modern era, monsieur Asif, was at the other end. Can someone tell me why Nawaz is chosen over Imad Wasim? Good decision to leave out Babar, he was clueless with the short ball and its high time you tried Imran and Junaid in the pace attack as well.

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Hyder

Oct 21, 2016 03:07pm

Sir Mohamed Amir needed a break to recharge his batteries and come back fresh. Thanks

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Osama

Oct 21, 2016 03:29pm

@Fez Because Imad wasim is not a Test bowler. He bowls straight darts with drift beating the bat most of the time. He doesn't spin the bowl much compared to Nawaz who is a traditional left arm orthodox bowler.

Recommend 0

Oct 21, 2016 04:12pm

Azhar Ali's irresponsible actions look like of Shahid Afridi. But his tenure looks much shorter.

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Salman

Oct 21, 2016 04:45pm

Sohail Khan is just an average bowler, rather below average. Having an long run-up does not make one an ace bowler. Imran khan should have been there instead of him as Imran has got much better pace, rythm and line. On top of that, Imran is a wicket taking bowler unlike Sohail who just got lucky once in England series.

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Ths

Oct 21, 2016 04:45pm

Dead pitch no swing no bounce this will only make Pakistan batting technically weak .

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Ths

Oct 21, 2016 04:49pm

Pakistan should use UK or Australia for home games and would benefit long term.

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Ths

Oct 21, 2016 04:49pm

Pakistan should playing home games away as a advantage and use UK oval as main venue this would produce quality batsmen and swing bowling masterclasses.

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Rizwan

Oct 21, 2016 04:53pm

I love to see a full series being played between Pakistan and India unfortunately this will never happen as India has a habit of mixing sports with politics, Pakistan currently has the best batting line up in the world India on other hand rely heavy on Kohli and their bowling as we all know has been weak from day 1 this is why every time India tour Eng Aus or Sa even in New Zealand they struggle and get hammered even kohli struggled against likes of Anderson and broad in England.

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Fez

Oct 21, 2016 05:21pm

Should Younis score a century in the current test, he will then be four 100's away from, being fifth on the all time list of batting 100's in a career. Dont forget this doesnt take into account double hundreds. What startles me, is that he has done it in almost a third less (in amount) of tests than the other great players who are above him in that list. Wowzers!

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shahzaib latif

Oct 21, 2016 07:44pm

Younus khan stats are fantastic in every regard. Best test batsman currently.

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naveed,usa

Oct 21, 2016 07:47pm

@Fez You are wrong,both Amir and Wahab have been rested,they have long series ahead,on the flat tracks they should not be used much. NAWAZ turns the ball ,while Amad doesn't turn much-he is good for limited overs format.

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naveed,usa

Oct 21, 2016 07:51pm

@Fez In the last test match,Amir took first three crucial wickets to put WI on back foot and Pskistan managed to win with a narrow margin. On England fielders drop 8 catches on his bowling, those 8 wickets could have made a great impact on his performance.After a gap of five years it us not a child's play to compete at the international level,and don't forget nature of pitches were also changed in England.They have made them batting friendly.

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Sarah

Oct 21, 2016 08:04pm

@Dr. K B Huzen He has been bowling long spells since England tour.Deserved to be rested.No problem with same.He is not dropped but rested.

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Waseem Sarwar

Oct 21, 2016 08:09pm

Why is pitch flat when Pakistani batters score big while there isn't any mention of pitch when Indians score big at home?

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Fez

Oct 21, 2016 09:27pm

@naveed,usa I think people over rate and under rate the wrong players, but ye I can see what youre saying as well. Imad can bat very well and his technique is one of the best I have seen in Pakistan for a long time. He can play with an open face, drive and defend all in one innings. He can hit out, and has a swagger about him. Nawaz doesnt come close in that respect. Also, in terms of Imads bowling, I would rather try him because an attacking bowler isnt a bad option, namely someone who attacks and penetrates the stumps, delivery after delivery. If his economy run rate in odis and t20s is anything to go by, he is fit for purpose. I presume politics is at play, as Imad also has captaincy credentials across all formats, a fitting all rounder.

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Fez

Oct 21, 2016 09:29pm

@naveed,usa Ok fair enough both Amir and Wahab are very good bowlers, I agree with you. But why not rotate the pace attack, and bring in Imran and Junaid, both who can handle long spells. Why is Asif being overlooked, he has three to four years left in him at least.

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Asad Farooqui

Oct 21, 2016 10:02pm

@cw :You are right Azhar ali is useless Captain and player, dead pitch he performed well live pitch he failed see Azhar did not performed well and lost 1-4 defeats.

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Oct 22, 2016 01:01am

@Rizwan Pakistan has the best batting line up ? Let this team come up against Australia in Australia, SA in SA and NZ in NZ. Beating WI at home isn't a big deal. PS Younis is a legend.

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GREAT

Oct 22, 2016 01:11am

@Rizwan It seems my friend you are more concerned with Indian team rather than yours while you would get your answer when your team will travel to NZ and AUS series after thrashing W.Indies on dead ,slow and low pitches. The difference in standard will soon be visible to you.

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Sarah

Oct 22, 2016 04:06am

@Fez Junaid Khan has struggled to take wickets on numerous opportunities.Pakistan test team is established team and there is less chance of anyone making through.Don't forget Imran Khan sitting out has taken 5 wicket in some of the test he has played and he has not been in the squad.I believe there understanding is fine playing with 3 spinners where situation demand.

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Ravian

Oct 22, 2016 04:09am

Very impressive for a man who just recovered from Dengue. Though century score in itself is a remarkable feat. Well done Younus.

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J. Gamble

Oct 22, 2016 05:00am

Good batting by Pakistan. First day belongs to Pakistan.

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LOUDSPEAKER

Oct 22, 2016 06:38am

@Salman What are you talking? He scored a triple century in the first test