Yousuf’s ton puts Pak in control

Middle-order batsman Mohammad Yousuf made his 20th Test century Sunday as Pakistan strengthened their grip on the first cricket Test against the West Indies after the second day.

Middle-order batsman Mohammad Yousuf made his 20th Test century Sunday as Pakistan strengthened their grip on the first cricket Test against the West Indies after the second day.

Yousuf was unbeaten on 107 with 14 boundaries off 190 balls and Shoaib Malik was not out on 61 as Pakistan cruised to 265 for four before bad light ended the day’s play 21 overs before the scheduled stumps. Pakistan now lead by 59 runs.

The West Indies bowlers struggled hard on a slow wicket as Yousuf and Malik combined for a record 125-run partnership — beating Pakistan’s previous best of 115 between Asim Kamal and Shahid Afridi against the West Indies at Bridgetown last year.

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Yousuf capitalised on a dropped catch before he completed his half century and continued his fine run of form this year that saw him score three centuries in Pakistan’s four-Test series in England and two in the home series against India.

The right-handed Yousuf raised his hundred in four and a half hours when he flicked Jerome Taylor for his 13th boundary, before the West Indies fast bowler dropped him off the next delivery.

Pakistan did not lose a wicket in the last two sessions after the dismissal of Mohammad Hafeez, Younis Khan (11) and captain Inzamam-ul-Haq for a duck just before lunch.

Yousuf got a break while on 43 when Daren Ganga grassed a low catch in the gully. Ten runs later, umpire Asoka de Silva did not refer a stumping appeal to the third umpire. Television replays suggested Yousuf’s back foot was on the line when wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin took off the bails.

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n Brief scores: West Indies 1st innings: 206 all out in 56.1 overs vs Pakistan 1st innings: 265/4 in 91 overs (M Yousuf 107 not out , S Malik 61not out, M Hafeez 57; J Taylor 2/67).