GALLE, July 5, 2009 (AFP) – Mohammad Yousuf hit a fluent century on his return to big-time cricket to put Pakistan ahead in the first Test against Sri Lanka here on Sunday. Dilshan was forced to don the gloves because first choice Prasanna Jayawardene was unavailable due to injury and skipper Kumar Sangakkara, the one-day ‘keeper, preferred to guide the bowlers from the outfield.
The three-match series is the first between the two nations since armed gunmen attacked the Sri Lankan team bus in the Pakistani city of Lahore on March 3 while the squad was en route to resume a Test match.
The attack injured seven Sri Lankan players and killed eight local security men.
The two teams recently contested the World Twenty20 final in England where Pakistan beat Sri Lanka by eight wickets. Yousuf made 112 and Misbah-ul Haq chipped in with 56 as Pakistan, replying to Sri Lanka’s 292, recovered from 80-4 to post 342 in their first innings on the second day at the Galle International Stadium.
Sri Lanka, trailing by 50 runs, failed to score from the one over bowled by Mohammad Aamer in their second knock before stumps were drawn for the day.
Pakistan’s lead