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Arthur wants Younis, Misbah to stay
- Updated: December 26, 2016
Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan have earned the right to decide when to leave the game, according to Pakistan coach Mickey Arthur.
The senior batsmen were dismissed in the space of five overs on a rain-shortened first day of the Boxing Day Test, leaving Pakistan on 142 for 4 when play was stopped shortly before tea.
Younis underwent a stern examination by Josh Hazlewood and Jackson Bird, the former thinking he had Younis lbw when he was on 3, only for the decision to be overturned on review. Another lbw appeal four overs later was turned down, as Younis went through a 26-ball scoreless spell. He settled after the afternoon drinks break, only for Bird to find a gap through his defence to dismiss him for 21.
Misbah fell to the same bowler, a brief 13-ball stay which was difficult to present as any kind of a form guide.
The dismissals continued a run of low scores for both; Younis now averages 12.75 from his last eight innings and Misbah 22.43 from his last seven. Both have a solitary half-century in that run, and Younis’ did come in his last innings in Brisbane.
Given their ages, however, pressure will mount quickly on both, especially if results do not go Pakistan’s way.
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