Veteran Pakistan batsmen Younis Khan scored the first hundred of the series to put his side within sight of a 3-0 win over England.
The 34-year-old made 115 not out to help Pakistan reach 222-2 in their second knock at close on the second day of the third Test in Dubai, giving them a healthy 180-run lead with eight wickets intact.
Pakistan, leading the series 2-0, had bowled England out for 141 in the first innings, conceding a 42-run lead.
Younis shared an unfinished 194-run stand with Azhar Ali, who was unbeaten on 75, to help their team overcome the early loss of openers Taufiq Umar (six) and Mohammad Hafeez (21).
Younis said he drew motivation from his first innings dismissal.
"I was very angry how I got out in the first innings," said Younis dismissed for four in Pakistan's low score of 99. "I was really angry but that failure motivated me to do what no one has done in the series - score a hundred."
Younis, who had managed just 66 runs in the last four innings, notched his 20th hundred - his second against England - with a sweep off Monty Panesar for two.
"I was positive and played my strokes, so with a sincere effort I tried to play and that worked for me and we managed to put up a brilliant partnership," said Younis, who almost gave up on his career after being banned in March 2010.
The Pakistan Cricket Board banned him for an indefinite period following a winless tour of Australia. He had relinquished the captaincy in November 2009 - a month before the New Zealand and Australia tour.
Younis said his bad days were over.
"That's beyond me and now I am enjoying my game. Misbah-ul Haq and I are two seniors who help juniors like Ali and (Asad) Shafiq who both are doing very well, so I am enjoying that," said Younis.
Younis admitted the Dubai Stadium pitch had eased out.
"The pitch is playing well, better than on the first day," said Younis of the pitch on which 16 wickets fell on the first day. In comparison only six wickets fell on Saturday.
England opener Alastair Cook praised Younis and Ali.
"We tried a lot of things, especially Younus took the attack to us. We did not expect that to happen. Till 60-odd he never let the bowlers settle into any kind of rhythm and a lot of credit goesn to him."
Cook emphasised England's top six batters will have to fare better.
"We all know that we are a very long way behind in this game. We need a couple of early wickets, then we get to bat again and it is going to take some serious character from the top six to turn that around," he said.
AFP
Tags: sport, cricket, united-arab-emirates First posted February 05, 2012 07:56:44
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