NAPIER: Captain Mohammad Yousuf fell short of his 25th century but not before guiding Pakistan to a position of comfort on the fourth day of the third and final Test at McLean Park on Monday.
Yousuf fell after compiling a patient 89 with seven overs left for the day after a rain interruption. Pakistan finished the day on 347-4, with Misbah-ul-Haq (4 not out) giving Umar Akmal (48) company.
Pakistan, helped by half-centuries from the top four, had surged to a lead of 99 runs after erasing a huge 248-run deficit.
The visitors had added just one run to their overnight tally of 128 without loss when Salman Butt was sent back by Martin Guptill for 66. Fellow opener Imran Farhat too perished in the same fashion to the same bowler for 61.Faisal Iqbal, who was sent in at No. 3, batted with caution and built a steady partnership with captain Yousuf to guide Pakistan to 192-2 at lunch.
Rains had once earlier interrupted play in the post-lunch session before the duo raised their 100-run stand but Pakistan’s efforts to see off the session wicketless went in vain with Iqbal falling minutes before tea for 67.
Yousuf, however, continued unperturbed as Pakistan stepped up their scoring with the help of Umar Akmal, before the batsman settled in as rain stopped play with 12 overs remaining.
Yousuf, who returned to Test cricket earlier this year after quitting the rebel Indian Cricket League and elevated to captain in the absence of Younis Khan, was rock solid at the crease before Iain O’Brien, playing his final Test for New Zealand, had him caught behind.
Intikhab to stay
Meanwhile, Pakistan cricket coach Intikhab Alam Monday rubbished reports of his sacking and being replaced by newly appointed bowling and fielding coach Waqar Younis.
Intikhab, a former Pakistan captain who took over as coach last year, said he instead is focussing on the upcoming tour of Australia next week.
‘I’m very much my team’s coach and will be on that plane for Australia (next week),’ said Intikhab, who is currently in Napier where Pakistan is playing its third and final Test against New Zealand.
‘I have a two-year contract with the Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) and am looking forward to completing the tenure.’ Intikhab’s tenure ends next October.
There have been reports that the PCB want to replace Intikhab with Waqar, a former Pakistan Test pacer who was roped in earlier this month.
Some reports have suggested that Waqar will get a higher salary than Intikhab, which has added fuel to speculations that he is set to replace Intikhab soon after the Napier Test which ends Tuesday.
Waqar could end up earning more than Intikhab, if the team and bowlers do well during his tenure. Intikhab is presently drawing a salary of around Rs.500,000, while Waqar would get a retainer of Rs.300,000 plus other bonuses which could total up to more than his retainer.
PCB chairman Ijaz Butt has said Waqar has just been appointed for one series — against Australia — and that the former Pakistan captain will be given a long-term contract if his charges show improvement during the tour Down Under.
Pakistan is to play three Tests, five one-day internationals and a Twenty20 game against Australia. The tour will begin from Dec 17 with the first test taking place in Melbourne from Dec 26. Waqar is based in Australia and will begin his stint with a three-day warm-up match against Tasmania in Hobart from Dec 19.
