Australia fight to save Test after Younis´s epic 213

ABU DHABI: Australia were left with a daunting task to save the second Test and series after Younis Khan hit an epic double hundred to put Pakistan in command on Friday.

Younis notched a memorable 213 for his fifth double hundred to steer Pakistan to 570-6 declared in their first innings on a flat Sheik Zayed Stadium pitch in Abu Dhabi.

At the close on day two Australia were 22-1 with David Warner on 16 and nightwatchman Nathan Lyon on one, still trailing by 548 runs with nine wickets intact on a day when Pakistan skipper Misbah-ul Haq (101) and Azhar Ali (109) also enjoyed the run feast.

Opener Chris Rogers fell caught behind to paceman Imran Khan for five, putting Pakistan in a strong position to press for their first series win over Australia since 1994.

It was Younis, who hit twin hundreds in the first Test, who once again dominated Australia´s hapless bowling during his eight-and-half-hour stay, hitting 15 boundaries and two sixes.

Younis hit Glenn Maxwell for a towering six and, in the spinner´s next over, took a single to complete 200.

He was finally bowled while playing Peter Siddle across the line and was given a standing ovation by a 12,000 holiday crowd and his team-mates.

When on 181, Younis completed 8,000 runs in his 93rd Test, becoming the third Pakistani batsmen to reach the milestone behind Javed Miandad (8832) and Inzamam-ul Haq (8829).

In all, 28 batsmen in the world have scored 8,000 or more Test runs.
Younis said he was delighted with his performance. (AFP)