Yousuf class opens Pakistan lead

Mohammad Yousuf struck his sixth Test century of the year – an unbeaten 107 – as Pakistan opened up a significant lead against the West Indies on day two at Lahore. Both Mohammad Hafeez and Shoaib Malik also hit fifties as Pakistan closed on 265 for four, 59 ahead.

On a pitch now lacking the bite that gave Umar Gul an opening day five-for, the West Indian attack struggled for most of the day, with their limited success mainly confined to the first session. Hafeez and Younis Khan had only added six to the overnight total of 39 for one when the latter pulled Fidel Edwards to Ramnaresh Sarwan at short midwicket, bringing Yousuf to the crease. Yousuf was soon threading the ball through the off-side arc with considerable ease and frequency and demonstrated a degree of control missing from any of batsmen so far in the match. The compact strokeplay of Mohammad Hafeez had been overshadowed by later events in Pakistan’s last Test at The Oval and here to he remained watchful until deceived by a Jerome Taylor inswinger and trapped leg before for 57.

Just three overs later the West Indies seemed to be back in the game as wrist-spinner Dave Mohammed screwed a delivery back into Inzamam-ul-Haq’s stumps, but Yousuf and Shoaib Malik remained firm to erode the West Indies throughout the afternoon and evening sessions. Perhaps only Rahul Dravid can exude the same air of confidence in making three-figures in the Test arena as Yousuf at the moment, although he did uncharacteristically provide chances to the West Indians – to Daren Ganga in the gully on 43 and a tough caught-and-bowled to Taylor having completed his hundred.

Shoaib Malik offered ideal support, back in a more natural role at the foot of the middle-order, though was largely restrained, preferring to let Yousuf rack up the runs. Occasionally he lashed out at the West Indian attack – straight driving Mohammed for six, for example – as if to remind the bowlers of his capabilities, but Malik was more intent on solidifying the Pakistani position. Yousuf and Malik complied an unbeaten partnership of 125 together (strangely the highest for the Pakistani fifth wicket against the West Indies) until bad light brought an early end to the proceedings. Yousuf finished with 107 from 190 ball, Malik with 61 from 149. Tomorrow’s first session will be crucial in the determination of the result of this first Test: should the West Indies make early inroads the likes of Abdul Razzaq and Kamran Akmal, both unpredictable customers at times, could be exposed, but similarly if Yousuf and Malik can set up a platform for the big-hitters, the West Indies could be faced with a tough back-to-the-wall job to save the Test.

West Indies 206 all out (56.1)
Brian Lara 61
Umar Gul 5-65, Shahid Nazir 3-42

Pakistan 265-4 (91 overs)
Mohammad Hafeez 57, Mohammad Yousuf 107*, Shoaib Malik 61*