Ton-up Younis, Misbah give Pakistan control

ABU DHABI, January 1, 2014 (AFP) - Exepreienced batsmen Younis Khan and Misbah-ul Haq hit sparkling hundreds as Pakistan took command of the first Test in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday.





Shehzad also miscued a hook shot and was caught at forward square-leg by Dimuth Karunaratne after hitting three boundaries.

But after those two wickets, Misbah and Younis led Pakistan's recovery.

The second Test will be played in Dubai (January 8-12) and the third in Sharjah (January 16-20).

Younis hit 136 for his 23rd hundred while Misbah was 105 not out for his fifth as Pakistan reached 327-4 at the close on the second day in reply to Sri Lanka's first innings total of 204.

Asad Shafiq was the other not out batsman with 12 as Pakistan dominated the day after Sri Lanka took two early wickets in the first session.

Pakistan now lead by a healthy 123 runs, primarily because of Younis and Misbah sharing 218 runs for the fourth wicket.

Younis hit spinner Rangana Herath for his 13th boundary to complete his hundred, taking just 47 balls for his second 50 runs.

He also hit a six.

Younis equalled Javed Miandad's record of 23 centuries, the third highest for Pakistan in the list t