Cricket: Younis takes third ton off Aussies

Younis Khan is on fire in the UAE. Photo / Getty Images

After hitting a record-equalling third century in three test innings against Australia, Younis Khan had nothing left.

The 36-year-old had spent more than three sessions at the crease and passed the 150-mark, but there in the distance was the carrot of a fifth career double hundred.

Suddenly on Friday, unlike the first day of the second test against Australia in Abu Dhabi, over 10,000 fans started to make themselves heard. Friday is a day off for many workers and with a large Pakistan-born population in Abu Dhabi, plenty had made their way to Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

Azhar Ali and Younis Khan had made hundreds and skipper Misbah-ul-Haq was on his way to one as well.

"It was really amazing playing in front of my countrymen," Younis said. "When I was between 160 and 170 my body started to go down and wasn't responding much.

"But when I saw people coming into the stadium and there were many already so I just didn't want to disappoint them and put my efforts in to score a double for them."

Younis scored 213 in eight-and-a-half hours after his twin centuries in last week's first test in Dubai, which Pakistan won by 221 runs.

Australia's day of humiliation ended appropriately with an early wicket in their first innings just before stumps and were 22 for one in reply to Pakistan's 570-6 declared.

Younis added 236 for the third wicket with Azhar Ali (109) and 181 for the fourth wicket with skipper Misbah-ul-Haq (101). It means Pakistan, who lead the two-match series 1-0, are in an almost unbeatable position as they edge towards their first test series win over Australia since 1994.

Younis is now the third Pakistan batsman to have scored more than 8000 test runs.

"I am not great, like Javed Miandad, Inzamam-ul-Haq," he said. "I want to be remembered as a team man who loves to serve and make his country proud."

Younis' memorable performances have come after he was overlooked for last month's one-day series.

"I can't explain how I have spent that particular week, as my family and friends were all tense," he said. "They were all wondering what I am going to do. They were afraid I might retire or something."

Apart from battling a lifeless pitch suited to a draw, Australia also faced a drama involving Brad Haddin, who hurt a shoulder. AAP