Without his 17th Test century and a couple of match-saving stands with Azhar Ali and new captain Misbah-ul-Haq, it may not have been possible for Pakistan to survive four and half sessions against the rampaging South Africans whose battery of pace and spin comprising Steyn, Morkel, Kallis, Harris and Botha was frustrated by the dour stands.
With Pakistan`s unpredictable and fragile batting line-up, it is always hard to believe that they would resist or rescue in challenging situations as they did in this match, especially when facing the pressure of a formidable fourth innings target of 451.
Even greater teams have failed going for it, chasing over 400, except on four occasions when the West Indies, South Africa, India and Australia achieved it. The West Indians and the South Africans did it against Australia in 2003 and 2008 while the Indians and Australians against the West Indies and England in 1976 and in 1948 respectively.
It certainly is one hell of a job to chase such a massive target and luck and ability both come into play in the outcome.
Younis, coming back to Test cricket after an absence of twelve Tests for mind-bogglingly absurd reasons, turned the screw on the South African bowlers with a magnificent display of batting which was a fine mixture of caution and aggression.
One may argue whether Pakistan should have gone for the 108 more runs left to achieve to the target in the fifteen overs remaining. But I suppose that would have been asking a bit too much from a team which has been under the weather for some time for right or wrong reasons and which undoubtedly in this match earned themselves a lot of credit to prove what a waste it had been to keep Younis out for that long.
