Associated Press

Kolkata, March 17:

Younis Khan and Yousuf Youhana slammed unbeaten centuries to lead Pakistan’s spirited reply in the second Test against India on Thursday. Khan’s attacking 108 not out and his 203-run third-wicket partnership with Youhana, who was unbeaten on 101, boosted Pakistan to 273 for two in reply to India’s first-innings score of 407. Vice captain Khan survived a run-out chance on 58 to slam his seventh century in 34 Tests — the first against India. Khan’s attacking 242-minute knock contained 14 boundaries off 167 deliveries. Youhana matched his aggression and reached his 13th Test century in 58 matches on the day’s last delivery from Harbhajan Singh, which he swung to the midwicket fence. Youhana’s 211-minute innings featured 13 fours from 171 balls, bringing up his second hundred against India. The dominating stand between Khan and Youhana, which put Pakistan in a position to force the pace in the series, came after Pakistan lost openers Shahid Afridi (29) and Taufeeq Umar (18).

Opener Afridi smashed seven boundaries in his 21-ball cameo that ended with a miscued pull off Irfan Pathan, lofting an easy catch to Sachin Tendulkar at mid-on. Umar survived two dropped catches in the slips — by Rahul Dravid and Virender Sehwag — off Laxmipathy Bajali, who eventually removed Umar, pulling the ball straight to Singh at square-leg. Earlier, Indian tailenders Singh (27) and Anil Kumble (21 not out) added 44 runs for last wicket to take India past the 400-mark. The pair helped India add 63 runs to the overnight score of 344 for six. Pakistan removed overnight batsman Dinesh Karthik (28), Balaji (three) and Pathan (8) cheaply, but the bowlers were thwarted for 46 minutes by the 10th-wicket pair of Singh and Kumble. Singh hit four boundaries from 39 deliveries before being trapped lbw by Abdul Razzaq (3-62).