Sunday, July 5, 2009

Yousuf was back for Pakistan


Mohammad Yousuf
Yousuf has spent 18 months out of the Pakistan side

Mohammad Yousuf scored a century on his return to the Pakistan side to help the tourists earn the initiative in the first Test in Sri Lanka.

Yousuf was back for Pakistan after a spell in the unsanctioned Indian Cricket League and helped them recover from an overnight 15-2 to 342 all out.

He was given good support by Misbah-ul-Haq (56) before eventually being run out on 112 after his 24th Test ton.

Sri Lanka, with a 50-run deficit, were 0-0 off one over before the close.

The hosts appeared in a strong position on the second day when they took the wickets of nightwatchman Abdur Rauf and Younus Khan.

Rauf made 31 of Pakistan's first 40 runs in the morning session and put on a third-wicket partnership of 50 with Khan before being caught by keeper Tillakaratne Dilshan off the bowling of Nuwan Kulasekera.

606: DEBATE

Dilshan also caught Khan, who fell for 25, as debutant Angelo Mathews grabbed a wicket in his first over to leave Pakistan on 80-4.

But that only brought Misbah to the crease and, along with Yousuf, the pair put on a 139 run fifth-wicket stand.

Misbah struck nine fours in his total before edging to Mahela Jayawardene in the slips off left-arm spinner Rangana Herath.

Yousuf was then kept company by Shoaib Malik but was run out as his 186-ball innings came to an end.

Kulasekara struck late on in the day to bowl Malik and Umar Gul as Sri Lanka quickly polished off Pakistan to limit the tourists's advantage.

Sri Lanka had one over to negotiate before the end of the day's play and did so without scoring or losing a wicket.

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