LONDON: Younis Khan increased Pakistan’s advantage in the fourth Test against England as he built on his overnight century at The Oval on Saturday.
Pakistan were 417 for seven at lunch on the third day, 89 runs ahead of England’s first innings 328, as the tourists looked to level the four-match series at 2-2.
Younis was 147 not out, having shared a useful seventh-wicket stand of 77 with Sarfraz Ahmed (44). Wahab Riaz was unbeaten on one.
Pakistan resumed on 340 for six after Asad Shafiq (109) and Younis (101 not out) had both compiled impressive centuries on Friday.
But it was Ahmed, 17 not out overnight, who was the initial aggressor on Saturday as he scored in typically brisk fashion.
The wicket-keeper leg-glanced both James Anderson and Chris Woakes for four.
By contrast it took Younis 13 balls to score his first run Saturday.
But when James Anderson gave him width outside off stump, Younis responded by cutting England’s all-time leading wicket-taker in front of point for four.
And when Younis off-drove Stuart Broad for a boundary in classic style, it meant Pakistan’s seventh-wicket pair had shared a fifty stand in 110 balls.
Younis, after his ‘settling-in’ period Saturday, looked in ominously good touch as far as England were concerned.
And the 38-year-old’s straight-driven fours off all-rounder Woakes and Steven Finn were further evidence of his increasing command at the crease in what was the veteran batsman’s 32nd Test century.
Ahmed was eventually out having struck seven fours in 78 balls when he edged a good-length Woakes delivery and opposing wicket-keeper Jonny Bairstow held an excellent one-handed catch, diving in front of England captain Alastair Cook at first slip.
Pakistan were now 397 for seven, with Woakes having taken his 26th wicket this series — a marked contrast to the mere 16 the improving all-rounder managed in his first eight Tests.
The score had moved on to 403 for seven when Younis was given out lbw for 133 to tall fast bowler Finn.
But Younis immediately reviewed Bruce Oxenford’s decision and, with replays showing the ball going over the top of the stumps, the Australian umpire’s verdict was reversed.
Moeen Ali’s bowling has proved costly this series and the off-spinner’s one over before lunch went for nine runs as Younis drove and swept him for two fours.
