Double ton-up Younis puts Pakistan on top

Thatscricket.com March 25

By Suhrid Barua

Bangalore: Cricket can be a great leveller. Week's back he endured two failures in the Mohali Test which led to talk doing the rounds on whether he should be dropped for the Kolkata Test. The amount of pressure was enormous considering he was named the vice-captain for the tour ahead of seasoned Yousuf Youhana, who was stripped of his vice-captaincy despite doing little wrong with the bat in Australia.

Clearly, Younis Khan had plenty at stake going into the Eden Gardens. He took upon himself to silence all the loose talk surrounding his batting form. The knack of the former Pakistan players to press the criticism button every time a player fails, only served to increase the resolve and hunger of Younis. He cracked a timely hundred at the Eden to make his critics eat a humble pie.

If that Kolkata ton was like a movie trailer, he showed a whole movie of his batting skills at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium here en route to a magnificent 267 to put Pakistan in an impregnable position as the visitors were all out for 570 in the final session on day two of the third and final TVS Test match.

Younis' marathon innings came off 504 balls, contained 32 fours and one six. His long haul at the wicket ensured Pakistan couldn't possibly lose the Test match. Being a game of glorious uncertainties, nothing can be said for sure but yes, Pakistan are sitting pretty.

More importantly, the first innings total of 570 have given their bowlers the cushion they might require to bowl India out twice if they want to nurse hopes of a series-levelling win.

Earlier, in the morning, skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq would have hoped to press on the pedal. But his plans were negated as he fell in the second over of the day.

Balaji had the smile back on his face when he caught Inzy at the crease at his overnight score of 184 thus ending their grueling stand of 324 for the third wicket.Younis Khan and Yousuf Youhana consolidated Pakistan's position as they raised 77-runs for the third wicket before Youhana made his way to the pavillion.

The right-hander was looking in pleasing form before he was pouched by gloveman Kaarthick off Harbhajan for 37.Harbhajan, who was currently in the news for all the wrong reasons was in the middle of a good spell as he accounted for Asif Kamal and Abdul Razzaq in quick succession to throttle the run-flow.

The Chinnaswamy track, which held firm on day one, was affording some turn amply evident in the dismissal of keeper Kamran Akmal, who went back to play a forceful shot only to see his the ball turn sharply and rattle his timber for 28.

The blazing sun didn't help the cause of the Indians who were made to chase the leather for most part. With the visitors not keen on effecting a declaration, Younis Khan continued in a cool, calculated manner to bring up his maiden Test double hundred and also became the first Pakistani to attain the feat in India.

Even as he was closing in on a triple ton, Mohammad Sami got himself run out which sparked off a mini collapse. The end came for majestic Younis who played a tired looking shot, holing out to Pathan to hand Harbhajan a five-wicket haul. Last-man Danish Kaneria perished off the first ball he faced. He went for a mighty heave but failed to clear the boundary being consumed by Laxman in the deep for a blob.

Harbhajan never looked liked he was being perturbed by developments unfolding off the field as he bowled like a man with a mission to finish with returns of six for 153 to restrict Pakistan below the 600-score mark.

Faced with ten overs for the day, the Indian openers- Virender Sehwag and Gautam Gambhir got off to a brisk start rattling up 55 without any loss. Sehwag once again started his innnings on a belligerernt fashion as he tore into the Pakistan attack clubbing five fours and one towering six off leggie Daniesh Kaneria to remain unbeaten on 39. Gambhir was giving him solid company on 13 with two hits to the fence.