GALLE // Mohammad Yousuf celebrated his return to Test cricket with a century that helped Pakistan to a 50-run first innings lead against Sri Lanka on the second day of the first Test. Pakistan began day two precarious on 15 for two but sensible batting by the middle order led by Yousuf took them to 342 all out. The Sri Lanka had to negotiate just one over before stumps and were yet to score. Pakistan nightwatchman Abdur Rauf and the captain Younus Khan had earlier averted the possibility of a batting collapse with 50-run partnership. Yousuf and Misbah-ul-Haq then built on that platform with a 139-run fifth-wicket stand. Yousuf also put on 75 runs for the sixth wicket with Shoaib Malik (38), after Misbah was caught by Mahela Jayawardene at slip off left-arm spinner Rangana Herath for 56 runs just before tea. He faced 128 balls and hit nine boundaries. Yousuf was eventually run out to a direct throw by the wicketkeeper Tillakaratne Dilshan at the non-striker's end for 112, his 29th hundred in his 80th Test. He spent over four hours at the crease, faced 186 balls and hit 10 boundaries. "After a long time I am playing Test cricket and I needed a good start. I did that and I am very happy," Yousuf said. Seamer Nuwan Kulasekera was the pick of the bowlers with 4-71 while the left-arm fast-bowler Thilan Thushara took 2-77. "I am happy, I bowled a good line and length," Kulasekera said of his career-best performance. "My natural bowling is to get the ball swinging in but I tried to straighten it in the last couple of weeks. That has been successful." Kulasekera said that his team must recover the deficit and post another 300-run lead to challenge Pakistan. Pakistan's most senior batsman, Yousuf had been exiled from the Test stage for 19 months after he signed up with the Indian Cricket League. But he was recalled by the authorities to tour Sri Lanka after he broke links with the unsanctioned league.
*AP