By IANS,
Karachi : New captain Younis Khan hit his 16th Test ton to give Pakistan some hopes of saving its first Test against Sri Lanka by taking the hosts to 213 for two in the first innings at tea on the third day here Monday.
Younis (101 batting) completed his century in the last over before tea while former skipper Shoaib Malik was unbeaten on 46. But Pakistan, which is still trailing Sri Lanka’s first innings total of 644-7 by 431 runs, is miles away from safer shores.
The duo of Younis and Malik, however, continue to hold fort and is taking the home side closer to 445 — the runs Pakistan need to avoid a follow-on.
Pakistan began the second session at 123 for two, with Younis and Malik in fluent form. Younis, who resumed at 46 soon completed his half-century and then produced a series of boundaries to shed some of the pressure exerted by the Sri Lankan bowlers.
He finally completed his 100 — his second as captain — when he took a double off pacer Dilhara Fernando. His century came off 191 minutes after a four-hour stay on the crease and with the help of 11 fours.
Malik, was a little more sedate as he slowly moved towards his fifty. His 46 came off 146 balls and includes six hits to the fence.
Pakistan added 90 runs to the total with Younis and Malik extending their partnership to 135 runs from 49 overs. Ajantha Mendis, who took the lone wicket for fall during the day that of debutant opener Khurram Manzoor in the first session, finished with 1-55 off 26 overs.