Younis Khan falls 3 runs short of 16,000 runs in First-Class cricket
Jul 4, 2016 at 7:02 PM
Pakistan’s most experienced batsman, Younis Khan scored an excellent watchful century on the second day of their practice match against Somerset. The visitors enjoyed a decent start to their tour, sedately compiling 359 for 8 before declaring against Somerset’s enthusiastic second‑string attack.
Younis was soon dismissed after reaching he reached 104 runs and with this missed a golden opportunity to score 16,000 runs in First-Class cricket, he was short for 3 runs. He is now joint sixth, along with Shafiq Ahmed in the list, with the most number of hundreds for Pakistan in First-Class cricket.
Younis might have been caught on 20 at second slip off the bowling of the admirable Davey. Marcus Trescothick was at full stretch and his right hand just reached the ball but it soon fell to earth. The veteran batsman had a great start to this England tour this summer by scoring an impressive hundred in his first outing with the bat. Asad Shafiq will also be beaming in confidence after hitting a valuable 80, ahead of the all-important four-match Test series begins with the first match at Lord’s.
In the 3-day match against Somerset, Pakistan came to bat first and enjoyed steady starts from Mohammad Hafeez, Shan Masood, and Azhar Ali but it was Younis who steadied the ship for them with his typical batting display stitched with patience and resilience at the crease.
However, Pakistan started slipping down since Younis Khan’s dismissal and declared their innings at 359 for 8 with the overnight batsman, Sarfraz Khan not out on 17 runs. With their recent performance being below par in the other two formats, this tour is a great opportunity for Pakistan to bounce back and start their new season with a bang.
Considering the kind of green, seaming surfaces which destroyed Sri Lanka earlier this year and Australia last year, much of Pakistan’s preparation has focused on facing the moving ball. But Pakistan may well encounter a more benign environment. The wickets at Lord’s, Old Trafford and The Oval have often, in recent years, provided helpful conditions for batsmen, which may not only negate England’s seamers but bring Pakistan’s spinners into play.
But Pakistan’s preparations extend far beyond the boot camps with the army in Abbottabad before coming to England and then sessions with the Dukes ball in Hampshire.
Thay have also spent time reflecting on their team dynamic and the off-field challenges that could confront them in England. The result is a squad perhaps no more talented than the one that was beaten here in 2010, but one looking more disciplined, more focused and more united.