24 Feb 2009

Younis keeps first test alive for Pakistan

6:03 am on 24 February 2009

Younis Khan has celebrated his first cricket test as captain of Pakistan by scoring an unbeaten 149, steering his struggling side to 296 for 3 on the third day of the first test against Sri Lanka in Karachi.

The home side is still 149 runs away from avoiding the follow-on, after Sri Lanka made a massive 644 for 7 declared in their first innings.

It's Pakistan's first home test for 14 months, but barely 200 turned up on the third day to the 34-thousand capacity National Stadium, despite free entry to the main enclosures.

Heavy-handed security has been offered as one reason for keeping the usually raucous crowds away.