Pakistan set Australia record run chase

Pakistan’s skipper Misbah-ul-Haq has smashed a 56-ball century, the equal-fastest in Test history, against Australia’s hapless bowling attack on day four of the second Test on Sunday.

Pakistan have declared at 3-293 in their second innings after the lunch break, setting Australia a record target of 603 to win.

The current best fourth innings run chase in history belongs to the West Indies who chased down 418 versus Australia in 2003.

Leading the two-Test series one-nil, Pakistan will be more than happy with a draw which would enable Misbah to claim Pakistan’s first Test-series win over Australia since 1994.

The 40-year-old Misbah also hit the fastest half-century in Test history.

Misbah’s half-century came off 21 balls including four fours and four sixes, beating South African Jacques Kallis’ 2005 world record of 24 balls.

Misbah proceeded to reach his hundred off 56 balls, equalling the mark of the great West Indies “Master Blaster” Sir Viv Richards against England in 1986.

The 40-year-old Misbah struck 11 fours and five sixes in his 57-ball knock of 101 not out, his sixth hundred in 50 Tests.

Azhar Ali was unbeaten on 100 off 174 deliveries.

Pakistan resumed on Sunday’s fourth day of play at 2-61.

Younis Khan completed a record-breaking two-Test series with a score of 46 in Pakistan’s second innings, giving him a record total of 468 runs in the series.

Steve Smith trapped Younis lbw with the total on 3-152. But his joy was short-lived as new batsman Misbah launched three sixes and one four in a 23-run over off the part-time spinner’s bowling.

Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin’s badly bruised shoulder, which is yet to be diagnosed after he landed heavily on it during Pakistan’s first innings, has added to Australia’s pain in the second Test.

Pace spearhead Mitchell Johnson didn’t return after lunch because of a sore hip and Australia employed two substitute fielders, Phil Hughes and Alex Doolan.

Opening batsman David Warner took on the wicketkeeping duties in the morning session and Glenn Maxwell was the gloveman in the middle session.

Australia were bowled out for 261 on Saturday in reply to Pakistan’s first innings of 6-570 declared.

Two-Test allrounder Mitchell Marsh top-scored with 87 on a flat batting track.

FASTEST TEST HALF-CENTURIES

* Pakistan’s Misbah-ul-Haq 21 balls v Australia, Abu Dhabi, 2014

* South Africa’s Jacques Kallis 24 balls v Zimbabwe, Cape Town, 2005

FASTEST TEST CENTURIES

* Pakistan’s Misbah-ul-Haq 56 balls v Australia, Abu Dhabi, 2014

* West Indies’ Sir Viv Richards 56 balls v England, St John’s, 1986

* Australia’s Adam Gilchrist 57 balls v England, Perth 2006

MOST RUNS IN A TWO-TEST SERIES AGAINST AUSTRALIA

* 468 by Pakistan’s Younis Khan (average of 156) in UAE in 2014

* 403 by India’s Sachin Tendulkar (av 134.33) in India in 2010.

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