Younus falls for 313 as Pakistan steered to safety

KARACHI, February 25, 2009 (AFP) - Younus Khan fell for 313, agonisingly short of the national and world Test records, after steering Pakistan to safety in the first Test against Sri Lanka on Wednesday.

Younus, who resumed at 306, played on to Sri Lanka's Dilhara Fernando in the ninth over of the final day, disappointing the still-sparse crowd at National Stadium who had hoped to see Brian Lara's record 400 broken.

The 31-year-old also fell 24 short of Hanif Mohammad's Pakistani record of 337 as the home team reached 662-6 by lunch, a lead of 18 runs over Sri Lanka's 644-7 declared.

Wicketkeeper-batsman Kamran Akmal, approaching his century, was unbeaten on 89 at the break.

The other not-out batsman was Yasir Arafat on 17 as the match headed for a draw.

Younus, who came to the crease on Sunday for his first innings as Pakistan captain, batted for a marathon 12 hours and 48 minutes, facing 568 balls and hitting 27 boundaries and four sixes.

His triple ton eclipsed Sri Lankan skipper Mahela Jayawardene's 240, part of a record 437 fourth-wicket stand with Thilan Samaraweera (231), but did not trouble West Indian Lara's record set against England in 2004.

Hanif's national ma