Mohammad Yousuf’s third century of the series left Pakistan in command of the fourth and final Test at The Oval in London on Friday.
When bad light forced an early close on the second day, Pakistan were 336 for three, a first-innings lead of 163, with Yousuf 115 not out and captain Inzamam-ul-Haq unbeaten on two.
Yousuf’s century followed his 202 in the drawn first Test at Lord’s and 192 in England’s series-clinching 167-run third Test triumph at Headingley. It was his fourth hundred in five Tests against England.
The right-hander also became the leading run scorer in Test cricket this year with 1 110 runs.
Together with Mohammad Hafeez, who made 95 in his first Test in nearly three years, he put on 177 for the third wicket after Yousuf, dropped twice early on, had shared a stand of 78 with Imran Farhat (91).
England’s attack, as it had been on Thursday, was lacklustre with fast-bowler Stephen Harmison way below his best with figures of none for 78 in 15 overs.
”It was as bad it looked,” England seamer Matthew Hoggard admitted. ”We were below par bowling, below par fielding and we were below par batting yesterday [Thursday]. But we’ve got three days to put that right.”
The one consolation for England was that at 2-0 up they had already won the series.
But Hoggard insisted: ”We spoke at length before the game, saying we didn’t want to lose in a dead rubber. We wanted to go 3-0 up.”
England’s plight was summed up when Hafeez cut a wide ball from paceman Sajid Mahmood and Alastair Cook, on the boundary, conceded a four even though the ball came straight to him.
Hafeez did give a chance when, on 79, he top-edged a hook off Hoggard. But Monty Panesar, running round from fine leg, failed to hold the difficult, low chance.
Yousuf’s two cover-driven fours in sucessive balls off medium-pacer Paul Collingwood took him through to a 174-ball century with 14 fours. It was his 19th Test hundred and sixth against England.
Opener Hafeez, who had retired hurt on Thursday on eight, was equally assured. However, in sight of only his second Test hundred he chipped Hoggard to England captain Andrew Strauss at short mid-wicket. In all he faced 177 balls with one six, a casually struck ”inside out” cover-drive off left-arm spinner Monty Panesar, and 14 fours.
”I wanted to score a century in my comeback game, but I’m happy I did my job for my team,” said Hafeez. ”I was lazy with the shot that got me out. I should have come on to the ball first.”
Pakistan resumed on Friday on 96 for one, 77 behind. Farhat, dropped once, was 56 not out and Yousuf 12 not out. Farhat, whose previous best this series was 34 in the second innings of Pakistan’s innings and 120-run second Test defeat at Old Trafford, lofted Panesar’s first ball for six over long-on.
But on 87, he failed to control a cut off Hoggard and the ball flew over the head of Strauss at second slip for four. Two balls later, however, Farhat, in sight of his third Test hundred, saw his luck run out when he edged Hoggard straight to Marcus Trescothick at first slip, Pakistan 148 for two.
Farhat faced 112 balls with one six and 13 fours.
England compounded their poor batting display by dropping three chances in five Hoggard balls.
Farhat, on 49, saw a leaping Collingwood fail to hold a tough chance in the covers off a fierce drive. Next ball, Yousuf, on five, was dropped by Trescothick and on nine he was missed in the gully by Cook.
”We don’t mean to drop catches,” said Hoggard. ”We know from past form when he [Yousuf] gets in he scores runs. Unfortunately we dropped him twice and he’s made us pay.” — Sapa-AFP