Younis hits 267 to put Pakistan in command

Pakistan 570 India 55

Pakistan took charge of the third Test against India in Bangalore after a mammoth knock of 267 from Younis Khan today.

Pakistan took charge of the third Test against India in Bangalore after a mammoth knock of 267 from Younis Khan today.

The vice-captain became the sixth Pakistani batsman to make 250 in a Test for his country and the first to score a double-century in India, as the tourists were bowled out for 570.

The innings was his personal Test best and lasted for more than 11 hours as he faced 504 balls, and stroked 33 boundaries including a single six, before he fell victim to six-wicket off-spinner Harbhajan Singh.

A typically aggressive effort from Virender Sehwag, who was unbeaten on 39 off 34 deliveries, took India to 55 without loss by the close of play on day two.

However Pakistan are in control, and on course to level the series. The tourists started the day on 323 for two with Younis and Inzamam-ul-Haq looking to build on their huge third-wicket partnership of 316.

But the Pakistan skipper Inzamam was trapped lbw by Lakshmipathy Balaji from the first ball of the second over without further addition to his overnight 184.

Inzamam's departure brought Yousuf Youhana to the crease and after contributing 37 to an 84-run stand with Younis he was caught by Dinesh Karthik off Harbhajan.

Pakistan prevented any further damage before lunch, with Asim Kamal playing the supporting role, but three overs into the second session VVS Laxman dropped Younis in the slips after Balaji induced an edge.

At the other end Kamal had a torrid time and it was no surprise when he was dismissed for just four after he tried to sweep against the spin of Harbhajan, top-edging to Sourav Ganguly at short fine leg.

While Younis was chipping away towards his landmark knock, Harbhajan - who ended up with figures of six for 152 - was busying himself by removing his team-mates.

Abdul Razzaq was the next to fall, caught and bowled for five, and in this sort of form there was a danger that the Indian spinner could tear through the Pakistan lower order.

Younis needed some stability alongside him and this was provided by Kamran Akmal, who saw his vice-captain through to his double-century before surviving a run-out chance on six.

The pair proceeded to add 50 for the seventh wicket and Pakistan brought up the 500 in the 143rd over, the first time they have reached that mark in India.

However just before tea Harbhajan again struck, bowling Akmal for 28, leaving Younis unbeaten on 225 with Mohammad Sami joining him at the crease.

The duo put on 61 valuable runs for the eighth wicket and Sami saw the batsman through to his 250 before he was run out for 17.

Pakistan were determined to add quick runs so they could have a crack at the India batsman before stumps and Younis soon followed his partner into the pavilion.

He tried to loft Harbhajan over cover but only succeeded in lifting a stroke to Guatam Gambhir in the deep to end his majestic innings of 267.

Danish Kaneria went for a first-ball duck, caught at deep mid-wicket by Laxman after a slog-sweep, to end the innings and give Harbhajan his sixth wicket.

India's reply began in explosive fashion as Sehwag and Gambhir took a liking to the new ball bowling of Razzaq, taking 23 runs from his first three overs.

This led Inzamam to introduce spinner Kaneria in only the eighth over but he was given a rude welcome from Sehwag, who smashed him for six off his first ball.

The opener looked confident in the 10 overs before the close and Gambhir also survived to reach 13 not out.