Double act

Youhana, Latif fire centuries for Pakistan

SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates (AP) -- Yousuf Youhana and Rashid Latif struck centuries Friday to give Pakistan a sizable first innings score of 493 on the second day of the first test at Sharjah Stadium.

The duo posted 204 runs for the sixth wicket after coming together with the score on 178 for five wickets Thursday.

Youhana and Latif powered their way to centuries as Pakistan notched up 381 for 5 before Youhana was clean bowled for 146 by Cameron Cuffy with the score at 382.

Latif then struck a 56-run partnership with Saqlain Mushtaq before Mushtaq was caught-and-bowled by Mervyn Dillon on 17.

Skipper Waqar Younis then came in and boosted the score with 25 runs, and Shoaib Akhtar, joining Younis at the fall of Latif's wicket, also scored a quick 25 before being bowled by Chris Gayle who also took tailender Danish Kanerias' wicket for a duck.

Dillon, with figures of 3 wickets for 140 runs in 42 overs, and Chris Gayle, also 3 wickets for 27 runs in 7.5 overs, were the pick of the West Indian bowlers.

The West Indies ended play for the day with a brisk 54 by openers Chris Gayle, with 41 runs, and Darren Ganga, with 11. They begin play Saturday 439 runs behind Pakistan's total of 493.

Youhana, who resumed at 76 on Friday morning with the Pakistani score at 230 for 5, reached his ninth test century in 264 minutes. The stylish batsman, who was dropped when on 70 by Cameron Cuffy off Dillon Thursday, was unbeaten on 144 at lunch after posting 200 runs for the sixth wicket with Latif. He was out for 146 just before tea, making the partnership 204.

Youhana, fresh from a double century against Bangladesh last month, completed his hundred -- from 209 deliveries -- with a single off Pedro Collins.

Latif was more aggressive in reaching his first test hundred, in what was his 28th match. By lunch he had scored 105 and was out after tea to Gayle for 150.

Wicketkeeper Latif, who was unbeaten on 27 overnight, raced to his century in 165 balls during a 207-minute innings.

Dropped at 28 by Gayle at slips off the luckless Dillon, the attacking Latif made the West Indians rue their poor fielding, cracking 14 boundaries and a six as he outscored Youhana in the morning session, which was extended by 1/2 hour to accommodate Friday prayers.

Latif scored 18 fours and a six in his innings of 150 off 231 balls. Youhana's 146 runs in 276 balls included 18 boundaries and a six.

This is the first five-day test match being staged at the Sharjah Stadium, which is better known as a one-day venue.

 

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