Zimbabwe v Pakistan, 1st Test, Harare, 3rd day
Younis Khan rated the quality of Zimbabwe's bowlers so
highly that he regards the two-Test series in Harare as ideal preparation for
Pakistan's next challenge against the No.1 ranked Test team. Pakistan take on
South Africa in the UAE after the Zimbabwe leg wraps up and Younis hopes the
experience gained here can be put to good use on that assignment.
"The Zimbabweans bowled so well, they made it difficult
for us, it's definitely good practice for us when we get back to Dubai,"
Younis said. "Also, the wicket is very good so we can really get some time
but they are making it tough for us to score runs."
Although Zimbabwe's attack did not profit as much as they
did on the first day, when there was still something in the surface, as they
tied Pakistan down to a scoring rate of 2.4. Hamilton Masakadza, the Zimbabwe
captain, was pleased with the effort on a pitch that was at its best for
batting. "The guys bowled really well, they applied themselves, they stuck
at it and that was good to see," he said.
Having had Pakistan at 23 for 3, Zimbabwe may have hoped to
limit them even further but Masakadza said Younis, in particular, made that
tough. "He put us under pressure because he was not just looking to be
there, he was also looking for run-scoring opportunities," Masakadza said.
"We had to set more defensive fields as well."
Younis and Misbah-ul-Haq shared a fourth-wicket stand of 116
to get Pakistan out of trouble but the old hands' rescue act was not simply a
cause for celebration. Their ongoing efforts to steady Pakistan points to an
over-reliance on seniors and raises concerns about the next generation. Younis
is hopeful they will improve with time.
"Test cricket is all about patience and the young guys,
sometimes they come from ODIs and Twenty20s so they need to learn," Younis
said. "It's for the senior players like myself and Misbah and [Mohammad]
Hafeez to help them and we are here to do that. The other thing is that we are
not playing Test cricket regularly, the last time was almost six months ago.
You need to play regularly to learn."
Pakistan's call for more Test cricket has been made on
numerous occasions, especially by Misbah in South Africa in March. Younis has
not played international cricket since then and most of the squad has been
occupied with one-day competitions. That's why, according to Younis, the trip
to Zimbabwe is so important for them. "This is what we need and we are
enjoying playing here," he said.
As much as the experience of it is worthwhile for Pakistan,
getting the expected results is also important and
Zimbabwe Tests ideal preparation for SA - Younis
Younis is confident they can
beat Zimbabwe in the longest format as well as they did in the shorter ones.
Asked what he thought was a defendable total, he said, "Anything,"
before qualifying that to, "something like 200 or 300. Anything."
Younis believes the pitch will take more turn,
"especially towards the end," but Masakadza remains hopeful it will
not be much more. He said the cracks have only opened a touch, with
"nothing too frightening at this stage," and thinks Zimbabwe could
chase something "around 250."
Still, he is wary of Saeed Ajmal, after the spinner took
seven wickets in the first innings. "We know he is going to be their main
threat and the guys have their plans," Masakadza said. "Some will be
looking to use the sweep and others to play as straight as possible. But I'm
feeling pretty confident."
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