Stand-in captain Younis Khan staved off a spin threat with a responsible century to help Pakistan draw the second Test against India in Kolkata yesterday.
Younis scored an unbeaten 107 under pressure as Pakistan recovered from 78-4 to finish at 214-4 in their second innings chasing a stiff 345-run target off 81 overs on the fifth and final day.
Mohammad Yousuf played the supporting role and was unbeaten on 44 when the game was called off with four overs remaining.
Pakistan, trailing 1-0, now have a chance to square the three-Test series when they clash with India in the third match at Bangalore starting on Sunday.
Younis, 29, reached his 15th Test century -- fifth against India -- in the closing session when he reverse-swept off-spinner Harbhajan Singh for a 13th four.
"The team needed someone to stay at the crease for a long period and I am happy that I scored runs when the side needed them most," Younis said.
"We were in trouble after the first two days because India had scored more than 600 runs in their first innings, but I'd praise century-makers Kamran Akmal and Misbah-ul-Haq for their tremendous innings," he said.
Indian spinners Anil Kumble (2-73) and Harbhajan made the batsmen struggle for runs on a slow, turning track, keeping a tidy line and length with four men in catching positions close to the bat.
Pakistan were in trouble midway through the afternoon session when they lost four wickets for 78 in 40 overs, but Younis came to his team's rescue as he added 136 for the unfinished fifth-wicket stand with Yousuf.
Younis, leading the side in the absence of unfit Shoaib Malik, never allowed the Indian spinners to dominate him as he took no risks during his 182-ball knock, patiently waiting for the loose deliveries to punish.
The tourists batted to save the match, making no serious inroads to achieve the target. They scored 37 off 20 overs in the morning and 89 off 32 in the afternoon.
Pakistan needed to survive 41 overs when Yousuf joined Younis in the middle, with only one specialist batsman (Faisal Iqbal) in the dressing room. They were fortunate to find the right pair at the right time to keep India at bay.
Leg-spinner Kumble, who shared the new ball with Zaheer Khan, raised visions of an Indian victory when he dismissed make-shift opener Kamran Akmal (14) and Salman Butt (11) before his side ran into a gutsy Younis.
"It was a pretty flat pitch and tough for bowlers. I think they did a fantastic job to help us dominate in this match," India captain Kumble said.
Sri Lanka V England
AFP, KANDY, Sri Lanka
Kumar Sangakkara became the first batsman to hit 150-plus scores in four consecutive Tests as Sri Lanka pressed for victory in the first Test against England yesterday.
The left-hander made 152 as Sri Lanka piled up 442-8 in their second innings when they declared 30 minutes before stumps on the fourth day to leave England an imposing victory target of 350.
England closed the day on 9-1, losing Alastair Cook to the fourth ball of the innings from Chaminda Vaas, who forced an edge to Chamara Silva at first slip.
Skipper Michael Vaughan was unbeaten on one and nightwatchman James Anderson was on four as England return on the final day to attempt a history-defying win.
The highest fourth innings total achieved at the Asgiriya stadium to win a Test was 264-3 by India in 2001.
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