Aussies in control despite Younis century

The 39-year-old reached the milestone for the first time in Australia in the hour after tea to complete his career set of centuries in each of the Test-playing nation. He was unbeaten on 136 at stumps alongside tailender Yasir Shah (five not out) but Australia will be confident of securing a 3-0 series sweep with a lead of 267 on the back of their first innings 538-8 declared. 

“Hopefully, (the wicket) will start playing some tricks,” Australia bowling coach David Saker told reporters. “I would assume that we will go out and have another bat and put some more wear in the wicket and have a bowl in the last day and a bit.” 

Younis had forged a 120-run third-wicket stand with Azhar Ali (71) to stall Australia on Wednesday and the home side were desperate to make a breakthrough once play eventually got underway. The pace attack failed to do the job and ultimately it was a breakdown in communication between the batsmen that ended the key partnership on 146 runs. 

Younis hit Lyon past a close fielder and called for a run. Azhar hesitated and was left stranded as Mitchell Starc swooped and hurled the ball to Peter Handscomb, who was standing in behind the stumps for the sick Matt Wade. Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul-Haq departed shortly after tea, holing out in the deep for 18, and Asad Shafiq followed for four when Steve Smith, at slip, brilliantly caught a Steve O’Keefe ball that went off bat, pad and wicketkeeper’s thigh.