Captain Khan leads Pakistan comeback in first cricket test: Canadian Press

KARACHI, Pakistan — New captain Younis Khan led the comeback with a patient century as Pakistan reached 296-3 against Sri Lanka on the third day of the first cricket Test Monday.

Khan kept experienced Sri Lanka spinners Muttiah Muralitharan and Ajantha Mendis at bay throughout the day in scoring an unbeaten 149 off 282 balls. Misbah-ul-Haq was batting on 20 at stumps.

The Pakistan captain's job is far from over as the home team requires a further 149 runs to avoid the follow-on. Sri Lanka declared its first innings at an imposing total of 644-7.

Sri Lanka captain Mahela Jayawardene and Thilan Samaraweera both scored double-centuries Sunday and combined for a record-breaking 437-run partnership for the fourth wicket in the visitors' highest ever total in an innings against Pakistan.

"Last night before going to sleep I thought if Mahela could score a double-century, I should do the same for my team," Khan said. "It was actually good (to score a century) because if a captain performs like that the whole team follows him."

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