First Test: Younis Khan stars as Pakistan build first innings total

Younis Khan hit a record-equalling 25th Test century to guide Pakistan to 219-4 on the opening day of the first Test against Australia in Dubai.

The 36-year-old right hander scored 106 after Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat on a flat, grass-less pitch.

Younis equalled Pakistan's record for most hundreds held by Inzamam-ul Haq, but reached the mark in his 92nd Test compared to Inzamam's 120.

He also became the first Pakistan player to score a hundred against all nine Test nations and the 12th batsmen in total to achieve the feat.

Younis became Mitchell Johnson's third victim of the day as the Australian paceman led the tourists' attack with 3-22.

Without either man's efforts, the other side might have taken a stranglehold on proceedings at Sport City, but as it was honours lay largely even.

Both sides handed out two debuts, Pakistan blooding paceman Imran Khan and leg-spinner Yasir Shah, while Baggy Greens were handed to Steve O'Keefe and Mitch Marsh - the latter receiving his from his decorated father Geoff.

That being done Pakistan won the toss and opted to bat, a decision which immediately looked wrong-headed when Johnson, so often the snarling face of the Australian attack, speared a yorker into Mohammed Hafeez's toe to win a straightforward lbw decision with the fifth ball of the day.

Hafeez was the only man on the field who disagreed and promptly made one of the most bemusing DRS appeals imaginable before being sent on his way.

Ahmed Shehzad hardly managed much better, shuffling across his stumps to Peter Siddle only to be bowled round his legs for three, leaving the nominal hosts seven for two.

Azhar Ali and Younis then placed the brakes on, restoring quiet order to the innings to reach 50-2 at lunch.

Chance

Ali offered a chance on 22no but did not let that deter him once Chris Rogers failed to gather.

At one stage both Australian newcomers were bowling in tandem, though they were met with the same steady focus as the established men in the touring attack.

He was first to his half-century, sweeping his 141st delivery for his sixth four, and with the total passing the 100 mark in the 47th over, Younis briefly threatened to inject some momentum with commanding back-to-back boundaries off Nathan Lyon.

Younis' fifty came from his 136th ball, but he lost Ali soon after - the 108-run stand ended with a soft catch to short cover off the bowling of Johnson.

Misbah-ul-Haq saw it to tea with minimal fuss, with his side on 123-3.

Australia laboured away looking for another breakthrough as the experiend batting pair stood firm, Younis mercilessly ticking over until reaching 99.

Then, unexpectedly, he ushered in his landmark ton by stepping down the track to Lyon and launching him into the stands for six.

Six balls later he was gone, Johnson returning with the new ball and striking at just the second attempt.

Some extra pace and handy movement off the hard ball was enough to win another lbw verdict and end a wonderfully composed innings.

There was no further damage done, though, Misbah (34no) and Asad Shafiq playing successfully for the close.