Yousuf and Akmal feast on listless England

LAHORE – Mohammad Yousuf and Kamran Akmal slammed impressive centuries yesterday in a record partnership for Pakistan as the hosts tightened the screws on the third and final Test in Lahore.

Yousuf scored an unbeaten 183 and Akmal a career-best 115 not out to help Pakistan to a massive 446-5 in their first innings at stumps on the third day in reply to England’s modest 288. The pair added 199 for the unfinished sixth wicket, a Pakistan record in Tests against England.The previous highest was 145 between Mushtaq Mohammad and Intikhab Alam at Hyderabad in 1972-73.With Pakistan leading by 158 runs and only two days remaining in the match, England are in danger of losing their first Test series in two-and-a-half years under Michael Vaughan’s captaincy.Pakistan lead 1-0 following their 22-run win in the opening Test at Multan.The second match ended in a draw.It was a demoralising day for Ashes-winning England who could take just one wicket, that of nightwatchman Shoaib Akhtar.Yousuf, 31, played a big role in putting his team in a commanding position as in-form skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq had retired hurt on Wednesday after being struck on the right wrist by a rising ball from paceman Steve Harmison.The middle-order batsman has so far smashed 21 fours and a six in his 335-ball knock on his home ground.Wicket-keeper Akmal, whose previous best was 109 against India at Mohali early this year, has so far struck 10 fours in his second Test century in 18 matches.England failed to break the Yousuf-Akmal stand even after taking the second new ball after 80 overs at 267-5.Instead, Akmal greeted fast bowler Matthew Hoggard with two fours and Yousuf meted out the same treatment to Harmison at the other end.The Pakistani wicket-keeper, also playing on his home ground, hit paceman Liam Plunkett for his ninth boundary to reach his century off 178 balls Akmal said he was under pressure to score big in this match.Pakistan, resuming at 185-4, saw off the first hour without losing any wickets as Akhtar and Yousuf frustrated England.-Nampa-AFPThe pair added 199 for the unfinished sixth wicket, a Pakistan record in Tests against England.The previous highest was 145 between Mushtaq Mohammad and Intikhab Alam at Hyderabad in 1972-73.With Pakistan leading by 158 runs and only two days remaining in the match, England are in danger of losing their first Test series in two-and-a-half years under Michael Vaughan’s captaincy.Pakistan lead 1-0 following their 22-run win in the opening Test at Multan.The second match ended in a draw.It was a demoralising day for Ashes-winning England who could take just one wicket, that of nightwatchman Shoaib Akhtar.Yousuf, 31, played a big role in putting his team in a commanding position as in-form skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq had retired hurt on Wednesday after being struck on the right wrist by a rising ball from paceman Steve Harmison.The middle-order batsman has so far smashed 21 fours and a six in his 335-ball knock on his home ground.Wicket-keeper Akmal, whose previous best was 109 against India at Mohali early this year, has so far struck 10 fours in his second Test century in 18 matches.England failed to break the Yousuf-Akmal stand even after taking the second new ball after 80 overs at 267-5.Instead, Akmal greeted fast bowler Matthew Hoggard with two fours and Yousuf meted out the same treatment to Harmison at the other end.The Pakistani wicket-keeper, also playing on his home ground, hit paceman Liam Plunkett for his ninth boundary to reach his century off 178 balls Akmal said he was under pressure to score big in this match.Pakistan, resuming at 185-4, saw off the first hour without losing any wickets as Akhtar and Yousuf frustrated England.-Nampa-AFP