Multan, November 19:

Opening batsman Imran Farhat led a confident Pakistan top order on Sunday as the West Indies bowling attack struggled on the first day of the second Test.

Farhat (74), Younis Khan (56) and Mohammad Yousuf (56) all compiled half centuries on a grassless Multan Cricket Stadium wicket as Pakistan made a steady progress toward a big total, reaching 263/4 at stumps.

Yousuf hit a straight six and three fours in his 117-ball half century before giving a low catch to Brian Lara at mid-wicket three overs before stumps. Captain Inzamam-ul-Haq, not out on 31, and Shoaib Malik (4), return to the wicket when play resumes on the second day.

Khan and Yousuf shared the best partnership of the day, combining for 87 runs for the third wicket as the West Indies bowlers struggled on a flat pitch.

Khan was out soon after compiling his half century, which included six boundaries in the last session.

Runako Morton — one of the two changes made in the West Indies squad that lost the first Test by nine wicket — took a catch over his head at gully that gave paceman Jerome Taylor (2-61) his second wicket of the day.

Yousuf, who made 192 in the first Test at Lahore, had a lucky escape on 45 when Daren Ganga failed to hold a hard drive. Paceman Corey Collymore bowled a disciplined line and length and was economical in his 16 overs for 23 runs, but could not get a wicket.

Earlier, Pakistan made a sound progress after Inzamam won the toss and elected to bat at his home ground. Pace bowler Taylor provided the lone dismissal of the morning session when Hafeez attempted a loose shot in the 28th over and edged to wicketkeeper Denesh Ramdin after scoring 36 off 66 balls with seven boundaries.

SCOREBOARD

PAKISTAN — 1st Innings

M Hafeez c Ramdin b Taylor 36

I Farhat c Lara b Bravo 74

Y Khan c Morton b Taylor 56

M Yousuf c Lara b Gayle 56

Inzamam not out 31

S Malik not out 4

Extras: 6 (b1, lb3, nb2)

Total: 263/4

FoW: 1-83, 2-125, 3-212, 4-250

West Indies bowling: Taylor 15-2-61-2, Collymore 16-5-23-0, Powell 12-2-50-0, Gayle 22-6-52-1, Bravo 14-5-30-1,

Mohammed 11-1-39-0, Morton 1-0-4-0