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Pakistan improve their chances of avoiding follow-on

Pakistan rode on Misbah-ul-Haq's fighting half-century to boost their chances of avoiding a follow-on in the third and final Test against India in Bangalore yesterday.

The tourists were 369-5 in their first innings at stumps on the third day in reply to India's mammoth 626, needing just 58 more runs to avert the follow-on.

Misbah (54-not-out) and Kamran Akmal (32-not-out), who made centuries in a similar situation in the previous Test at Kolkata, rallied Pakistan with an unfinished 81-run stand for the sixth wicket.

Pakistan were in trouble at 288-5 before Misbah and Akmal denied India further success with their responsible knocks. Misbah has so far struck eight fours in his second half-century.

India also made a dubious record of conceding 70 extras, their previous highest being 60 against England in 1979.

The hosts lead 1-0 in the series following their six-wicket win in the opening Test in New Delhi. The second match ended in a draw.

Pakistan were strongly placed at 221-2 before stand-in captain Younis Khan was bowled attempting a reverse-sweep off spinner Harbhajan Singh, starting a slide that saw his team lose three crucial wickets in the space of 67 runs.

Younis, leading the team in a second successive Test in the absence of unfit Shoaib Malik, batted confidently during his 156-ball 80 before he fell playing one reverse-sweep too many.

■ SRI LANKA V ENGLAND

AFP. COLOMBO

Hosts Sri Lanka warded off England's early threat as the rivals waged a grim struggle to take control of the second cricket Test in Colombo yesterday.

Sri Lanka, replying to England's first innings total of 351, recovered from 22-2 to post 105 without further loss by close of the second day's play at the Sinhalese Sports Club.

Opener Michael Vandort and skipper Mahela Jayawardene frustrated England's bid to run through the top order by adding 83 runs for the unbroken third wicket.

Left-handed Vandort was unbeaten on 50 and Jayawardene was on 43 on a batsman-friendly wicket that is expected to assist spin towards the end of what has turned out to be an absorbing match.

England, seeking a series-leveling win after losing the first Test in Kandy by 88 runs last week, battled with both bat and ball in a bid to seize the advantage.

Wicket-keeper Matthew Prior hit a second successive half-century and put on 74 runs for the eighth wicket with tailender Ryan Sidebottom (17) after England were struggling at 272-7 within the first hour of play.

Prior followed his 63 in the Kandy Test with a defiant 79 before he was last man out to Muttiah Muralitharan.
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