By Omar Khalid,IANS,
Karachi : Captain Younis Khan steered Pakistan to 123 for two at lunch on the third day of the first Test against Sri Lanka at the National Stadium here Monday.
At the break, Younis was batting resolutely at 46 along with former captain Shoaib Malik who was on 19 off 51 balls with three boundaries.
Resuming at their overnight total of 44 for one, the host team lost its debutant opener Khurram Manzoor (27) in the second hour of the first session and still trails Sri Lanka’s first inning total by 521 runs. Spinner Ajantha Mendis gave Sri Lanka the breakthrough and finished the session with 1-23 in 14 overs.
However a lot will depend on Younis, who struck seven boundaries to score 46 off 93 balls, to keep Pakistan alive in the Test.
Pakistan began the day cautiously with Younis and Khurram adding 32 runs to the total in the first hour.
But Mendis broke the partnership with a quicker delivery to Khurram who stabbed the ball to wicket-keeper Prasanna Jayawardene. His dismissal left Pakistan at 78-2.
Younis and Malik then added 45 to the total, guiding the hosts to the interval without further loss.