The Hindu : Sport : Younis Khan keeps Sri Lanka at bay

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Younis Khan keeps Sri Lanka at bay

But the Pakistan skipper’s job is far from over

— Photo: AFP

CAPTAIN’S KNOCK: Younis Khan used the sweep shot effectively against the Sri Lankan spinners as he led Pakistan’s fightback on day three.

KARACHI: New captain Younis Khan led the fightback with a patient century as Pakistan reached 296 for three against Sri Lanka on the third day of the first Test on Monday.

Younis kept the experienced Sri Lanka spinners Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis at bay throughout the day in scoring an unbeaten 149 off 282 balls. Misbah-ul-Haq was batting on 20 at stumps.

The Pakistan captain’s job is far from over as the home team requires a further 149 runs to avoid the follow on.

Sri Lanka declared its first innings at an imposing total of 644 for seven.

Muralitharan was even given the second new ball in the last session, but Younis swept and drove the star spinner with confidence on a flat batting wicket.

Younis hit 17 boundaries during his defiant six hours and 11 minutes stay at the wicket.

Malik lends support

Younis was ably supported by former captain Shoaib Malik, who hit 56, in adding 149 runs for the third wicket in three-and-a-half hours.

Both showed no signs of Test match rustiness, having last played against India at Bangalore in December 2007.

Malik was finally run out shortly after completing his half-century off 168 balls that included seven fours when Muralitharan’s direct throw hit the non-striker’s end from mid-off.

Sri Lanka could have got the breakthrough in the afternoon when Younis was on 92, but Tillakaratne Dilshan was unable to hold onto a difficult diving catch to his left at mid-wicket.

Younis completed his century when he pushed a ball from paceman Dilhara Fernando to third man and picked up two runs in the last over before tea.

In the first session, Younis, on 23 then, survived a leg-before decision when Australian umpire Simon Taufel turned down a confident appeal by Ajantha Mendis.

Younis negated the spin threat of Muralitharan and also that of unorthodox spinner Mendis as he waited patiently for the loose deliveries to play his attacking shots.

Mendis (one for 78) brought the lone success in the first session when he had rookie batsman Khurram Manzoor (27) caught behind off a straight delivery.

Younis and Manzoor had negotiated the first hour with some cautious batting and took the score to 78 after Pakistan resumed at 44 for one.

Muralitharan (one for 92), who claimed the wicket of Salman Butt late on the second day, bowled 31 overs on the third day and even switched bowling ends but without any success.

Bayliss praises Younis

Sri Lanka coach Trevor Bayliss praised Younis’ performance. “He is a very good batsman. But I thought he sent out a clear and positive message when he came out to bat on Sunday instead of a night-watchman,” Bayliss said.

The Australian said that, despite the Test being played on a very flat wicket, there was still only one team that could win the Test.

“The likely result appears to be a draw but if we play good cricket we can still win this Test,” he added.

Kulasekara in

Paceman Nuwan Kulasekara will replace injured Farveez Maharoof in the Sri Lankan squad. — Agencies

SCOREBOARD

Sri Lanka — 1st innings: 644 for seven decl.

Pakistan — 1st innings: K. Manzoor c P. Jayawardene b Mendis 27, S. Butt c M. Jayawardene b Muralitharan 23, Younis Khan (batting) 149, S. Malik (run out) 56, Misbah (batting) 20; Extras: (b-4, lb-2, nb-14, w-1): 21; Total: (for three wkts. in 112 overs): 296.

Fall of wickets: 1-44, 2-78, 3-227.

Sri Lanka bowling: Vaas 20-4-41-0, Fernando 22-1-75-0, Mendis 35-9-78-1, Muralitharan 34-7-92-1, Dilshan 1-0-4-0.

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