Pakistan's experienced duo share 218 run stand to help Pakistan post a lead of 123 at stumps on day three

by PakPassion Staff (1st January 2014)

Toss: Pakistan won the toss and chose to field

Teams:

Pakistan: 1. Khurram Manzoor, 2. Ahmed Shehzad, 3. Mohammad Hafeez, 4. Younis Khan, 5. Misbah-ul-Haq (c), 6. Asad Shafiq, 7. Adnan Akmal (wk), 8. Bilawal Bhatti, 9. Rahat Ali, 10. Saeed Ajmal, 11. Junaid Khan


Sri Lanka: 1. Dimuth Karunaratne, 2. Kaushal Silva, 3. Kumar Sangakkara, 4. Mahela Jayawardene, 5. Dinesh Chandimal, 6. Angelo Mathews, 7. Prasanna Jayawardene, 8. Sachitra Senanayake, 9. Rangana Herath, 10. Shaminda Eranga 11. Suranga Lakmal

Sri Lanka started the day in exactly the manner they would talked about in the team meeting, as they removed Mohammad Hafeez (11) in the fourth over of the day. The right-hander was selected based on his good form in the one-day series preceding the Tests and he tried to carry his attacking instincts into the longer format but drove uppishly to short cover Silva, who took a magnificent diving catch and Pakistan were 59/2.

Younis Khan came out to join Ahmed Shehzad who was looking comfortable at the crease but after a partnership of 24, Shehzad pulled a ball to square leg as he fell into the trap clearly set by Sri Lanka to get their man. Shehzad made a patient 38 from 83 balls and took an age to leave the crease. The longer format will be a learning process for the youngster and he'll carry this lesson into the second innings and beyond.

The experienced pair Misbah and Younis came together to ensure Pakistan remained unscathed to lunch on 121/3, with Younis Khan on 23 and Misbah-ul-Haq 24.

Both Misbah and Younis started positively in the afternoon, putting away any loose deliveries from the Sri Lankan bowlers as well as picking up singles to keep the scoreboard ticking over. Misbah survived a close LBW appeal off Herath in the 58th over when he played down the wrong line and was struck on the pad. Mahela opted for the review and the batsman was given the benefit of the doubt.

Younis was the first to bring up his half century when he took 10 off a Lakmal over. It was his 28th Test fifty and continued to show why Pakistan need his talent in the middle order. Misbah followed in the next over, reaching his 23rd Test fifty with a clip to mid-wicket. The pair weren't done yet though, and Younis took the attack to Herath with a loft straight for six followed by a cut for four.

Younis continued to push the scoring along, racing well ahead of Misbah and quickly into the 90s. There was no nervousness from him, a timely drive through extra cover bringing up his 23rd Test century, moving him level with Javed Miandad. At tea, Pakistan were 251/3 and hadn't lost a wicket in the entire session. They led by 47 and were in control of the Test.

Younis continued on his merry way after the interval, starting with a lovely punch through the covers for four. Another gorgeous cover drive was followed by a fortunate inside edge to fine leg suggesting the luck was with Pakistan. Two more boundaries off Mathews pushed Younis on to 136 before Sri Lanka finally broke the 218-run partnership. Eranga got one to jag back sharply into the batsman and hit off stump to end a fantastic innings.

This brought Asad Shafiq to the crease, and it allowed the visitors to slow down the scoring rate and string together some dot balls. Shafiq took 18 balls to get off the mark but Misbah moved serenely into the 90s. He eventually reached his 5th Test ton with a single to mid-on, carrying his excellent 2013 form into the new year.

Asad Shafiq and the captain took Pakistan safely through to the close of play with Pakistan finishing on 327-4 with a lead of 123.

Day 2: Fall Of Wickets

2-59 (Mohammad Hafeez, 21.6 overs),
3-83 (Ahmed Shehzad, 30.2 overs)
4-301 (Younis Khan, 94.6 ov)

Misbah and Younis certainly made it Pakistan's day, both scoring excellent centuries to put the hosts in a very strong position. They showed the importance of experience in this format and will continue to play an important role in guiding the younger batsmen around them.

Pakistan will look to bat on tomorrow to put Sri Lanka out of the game. If Shafiq and Misbah avoid getting out early tomorrow it could be another long day for Sri Lanka.


Day Three:

1st Test: Pakistan v Sri Lanka in Abu Dhabi, 2 January 2014 at 06:00 GMT.

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