Pakistan vs. Australia, 1st Test: Day 1 Highlights, Scorecard, Report
Pakistan got off to a slow but steady start against Australia on the opening day of their Test series at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium, amassing 219-4 before stumps.
Playing in the United Arab Emirates, the "home" side opted to bat first after winning the toss. However, they found run-scoring tough on a slow, low wicket.
After negotiating Mitchell Johnson's new-ball spell, they were anchored by Azhar Ali and veteran Younis Khan, who compiled a magnificent 106—his 25th Test ton for Pakistan—to a comfortable score at the close of play.
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| Batsman | How Out | Runs | Balls | ||
| Ahmed Shehzad | b Siddle | 3 | 9 | ||
| Mohammad Hafeez | lbw b Johnson | 0 | 2 | ||
| Azhar Ali | c Doolan b Johnson | 53 | 167 | ||
| Younis Khan | lbw b Johnson | 106 | 223 | ||
| Misbah-ul-Haq* | not out | 34 | 103 | ||
| Asad Shafiq | not out | 9 | 36 | ||
| Extras | (b 2, lb 12) | 14 | |||
| Total | for 4 | 219 | |||
| Bowler | Overs | Maidens | Runs | Wickets | |
| MG Johnson | 20 | 13 | 22 | 3 | |
| PM Siddle | 17 | 8 | 27 | 1 | |
| SNJ O'Keefe | 15 | 2 | 49 | 0 | |
| MR Marsh | 11 | 4 | 18 | 0 | |
| NM Lyon | 24 | 3 | 78 | 0 | |
| SPD Smith | 3 | 0 | 11 | 0 |
Australia will know that early wickets on Day 2 will get them back into the contest swiftly—and undermine the patience shown by Younis on Wednesday.
Johnson impressed early in the day, giving very little away and collecting the wicket of Mohammad Hafeez without scoring.
When Ahmed Shehzad was bowled by Peter Siddle soon after, the Pakistan innings was left at 7-2 and the decision to bat first looked rash.
However, the fightback began through Ali and Younis, and they slowly turned the contest around.
Ali has regularly made runs batting at three for his country, but he has failed to convert them into big scores. Once again it was the case in Dubai, with Ali combining with Younis in a stand worth 108 runs, but falling for 53 when Johnson returned.
"#Younis Khan becomes Pakistan's 1st & overall 12th batsman to score 100 vs all other countries. #Cricket #PAKvAUS pic.twitter.com/WT7SqwYLOX
— Shahzad Tirmizi Syed (@shahzadtirmizi) October 22, 2014"
Younis, however, continued at his even pace. Few players have enjoyed such a sustained run of form in the last 12 months. His century, raised with a six, brought him level with some of Pakistan's greats.
His demise, once again at Johnson's hands, left things more even at stumps, but captain Misbah-ul-Haq had reached a patient 34 not out.
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