Pak press for win after Younis ton
Dubai, October 25
Pakistan grabbed three wickets, including the key scalp of Alastair Cook, to inch towards victory in the second Test against England after Younis Khan smashed a century.
Pakistan will need another seven wickets to force a 1-0 lead in the three-match series after Younis's brilliant 118 helped them set a daunting 491-run target for England.
At close, England were 130/3 with Joe Root unbeaten on a fighting 59 and Jonny Bairstow on six as they still need 361 for an unlikely victory. It will be a tough task for the England batsmen as the pitch was offering turn with leg-spinner Yasir Shah and left- armer Zulfiqar Babar posing a real threat.
Earlier Pakistan declared 35 minutes after lunch, with Younis scoring his 31st century, while Misbah-ul-Haq made 87 and Asad Shafiq contributed 79.
England were tottering at 45/2 at tea but Ian Bell (46) and Root defied Paksitan’s bowlers during their 102-run stand for the third wicket and looked to take England safely to stumps. But Babar broke the partnership when a ball from him brushed Bell’s gloveand Younis took an easy catch in the slips.
Brief scores: Pakistan: 378 and 354 for 6 dec (Younis 118, Misbah 87, Shafiq 79); England: 242 and 130 for 3 (Root 59no, Bairstow 6no). — AFP
