Pakistan cricketer Younis Khan (L) raises his bat to the crowd after scoring a half-century during the second day of their third and final Test match against England at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium at Dubai Sports City. AFP Photo
An unbeaten century by Younis Khan, the first of the series, took Pakistan to a superb position as they piled on a 180-run lead at the close of the second day of the third Test against England on Saturday.
The hosts ended the day on 222 for two in their second innings to leave number
one-ranked test side England facing a third defeat in the three-test series unless the struggling tourists suddenly strike form.
The England bowlers laboured as an unbeaten 194-run partnership between Younis (115 not out) and Azhar Ali threatened to take the match away from Andrew Strauss's men, who must bat last having crumbled in a similar position in the second test in Abu Dhabi.
"I was very upset with the way I got out in the first innings. I was determined not to repeat this," Younis said.
England's Alastair Cook acknowledged that a defeat was the most likely result.
Brief scores: Pakistan 99 & 222/2 (Younis Khan 115 not out, Azhar Ali 75, Anderson 1/24) v England 141.