Younis Khan was in such command heading to lunch on the third day of the second test that the New Zealand bowlers would've had to land a good length ball on a piece of real estate the size of a coaster to confuse him.
He looked every bit the batsman who has 28 test centuries, including four in his last six innings, and an average of 53.98 coming into his 95th test. His 53 not out completes his 29th half century.
Azhar Ali played his part too, reaching 35, as Pakistan whittled away their deficit. They reached 118 for two at the end of the first session, 285 runs behind. The most likely mode of dismissal was run out.
Younis used his feet as if he was in a ballroom, stretched forward to sweep like a well-conditioned yogi and watched the ball as if it was going to pinch his lunch. He whipped balls off his hips, drove through the covers with impunity and was fearless leaving his crease.
Mark Craig bore much of the brunt. Younis singled him out to be whacked down the ground for a couple of sixes, one of which required a prolonged search of the shaded stand's mezzanine floor.
