Dubai:
Opener Ahmed Shehzad scored a solid century to steer Pakistan into a commanding position on the fourth day of the first Test against Australia in Dubai on Saturday.
Shehzad was unbeaten on 128 while Younis Khan was on 67 not out as the two added 160 runs for the unbroken second wicket stand to help Pakistan reach 231-1 at tea, leaving Australia on the back foot.
Shehzad, 22, drove paceman Peter Siddle for his eighth four towards long-on to reach his second Test hundred as Pakistan increased their lead to 382 with four sessions left in the game to put themselves in a strong position to take a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
Pakistan had taken a big 151-run lead in the first innings after scoring 454 and dismissing Australia for 303. Pakistan, 116-1 at lunch, cut loose in the second session as they looked for quick runs to set a target for Australia, with Shehzad and Younis punishing a hapless Australian attack on a flat pitch.
Shehzad smashed a four and a six off Steve O’Keefe and then hit Mitchell Marsh twice to the ropes to enter the 90s. After reaching his hundred, Shehzad smashed two fours and a six off Siddle to take the lead past 370. In all, he has hit ten fours and four sixes during his 228-ball knock.
In the morning, Australia had looked to stop the flow of runs and had a good chance of breaking through early, but Brad Haddin failed to grasp a low catch off spinner Steve O’Keefe when Shehzad edged one on to the pads which popped out of wicketkeeper’s hands.
But O’Keefe got his reward when he induced an edge off Ali straight into the hands of Haddin with the score at 71. Ali made 30.
Younis hit a six off Lyon and then drove Mitchell Johnson to cover bounadry to complete his 29th half-century in Tests, following his superb run of form after his first innings 106.
O’Keefe was the only successful bowler with 1-79. The second and final Test will start in Abu Dhabi from October 30.
