Younis Khan and Yousuf Youhana, who scored brilliant unbeaten centuries on day 2 in the second Test against India, said singles made the difference in Pakistan being able to able to gain the upper hand on Thursday.
By close of play, Pakistan had amassed a healthy 273 for 2 in their first innings in reply to India's 407 all out.
"The Indian bowlers bowled very well, but we took sharp singles which made the difference.
"If you see there were a lot of singles in our partnership; maybe around 70 per cent, which made the difference," said Younis, after his superb knock.
The two batsmen, who were involved in an unbeaten stand of 201 runs for the third wicket, scored most of their runs through singles. While they dispatched the bad balls to the boundary, they made sure of snatching at least singles from the good ones.
Younis' chanceless 108 included 14 boundaries and 29 singles, while Youhana had 13 boundaries and 37 singles in his essay, frustrating the Indian spinners and not letting them settle down.
"Whenever Younis and I have batted together we have always scored a lot of singles. We just wanted to stay at the wicket, because we knew that the runs would come along once we got settled," said Youhana, who was unbeaten on 101 at the end of the day.
Younis, under pressure after failing in the first Test at Mohali, where he scored just 10 runs in the two innings, answered his critics with a determined knock of 108 from 167 balls, including 14 boundaries.
"Yes, there was pressure. But I was in a positive frame of mind. I just went out there and enjoyed my cricket. That's why I think I was successful and was able to score a century today.
"There was some pressure because I had failed in the last Test at Mohali and dropped catches too. But I must thank my teammates for helping me out. I am also grateful to captain Inzamam-ul Haq for supporting me," said Pakistan's vice-captain, reflecting on his seventh Test century.
So what's the plan for day 3?
"Our first aim is to reach 400. After that, we will look forward to pile some pressure on the Indians," said Youhana, who posted his 13th Test century in style, hitting the last ball of the day from Harbhajan Singh for a boundary.
Younis felt the wicket is better than the one at Mohali.
"[Shahid] Afridi gave us a blazing start and we just carried forward from there. Now it all depends on how we bat tomorrow. If we play well till around tea time and manage to get a lead of around 150 runs, then we will be able to put pressure on India," he added.
