Ton-up Younus, Misbah give Pakistan control

Pakistan finish the day with lead of 123 after losing four wickets.


News Desk January 01, 2014
Pakistan batsman Younis Khan plays a shot during the second day of the first cricket Test match between Pakistan and Sri Lanka at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium in Abu Dhabi on January 1. PHOTO: AFP

ABU DHABI: Centuries by the old-guard of captain Misbahul Haq and Younus Khan have given Pakistan control of the first Test against Sri Lanka at the Sheikh Zayed stadium in Abu Dhabi.

Pakistan finished the second day by securing a lead of 123 after scoring 327-4.

Resuming their first innings at the overnight score of 46 for one, the hosts lost two wickets in the morning session.

Ahmed Shehzad fell for 38 runs in his debut innings while minutes before his dismissal Mohammad Hafeez was brilliantly caught by Dimith Karunaratne after scoring 11 runs.

Younus and Misbah added 218 runs for the fourth wicket to lift Pakistan form a wobbly position of 83 for three.

Younus who posted the 23rd century of his Test career was bowled by Shaminda Eranga for 136 runs.

However, Misbah remained unbeaten on 105 will resume the third day’s play with Asad Shafiq who is batting on 12.

Pacemen Suranga Lakmal took one wicket with Shaminda Eranga grabbing two. Herath, Mathews and Senanayake went wicketless as the Lankan bowling proved largely insipid on a flat track.

Earlier, resuming at 46-1 Pakistan lost Mohammad Hafeez (11) and opener Ahmed Shehzad (38) to irresponsible shots, which gave Sri Lanka the semblance of a chance to restrict Pakistan.

Hafeez had started off well, hitting two straight boundaries off Lakmal before miscuing a drive off the same bowler and was smartly caught at short cover by Kaushal Silva.

Silva, also a wicket-keeper but selected as opener in this Test, dived to his left and caught the ball inches from the ground.

Shehzad also miscued a hook shot and was caught at forward square-leg by Dimuth Karunaratne after hitting three boundaries.

The second Test will be played in Dubai (January 8-12) and the third in Sharjah (January 16-20).

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