Younus hits triple century as Pak-SL Test heads for draw

February 24, 2009

Younus Khan broke several records on his way to a pugnacious maiden triple hundred as the first Test between Pakistan and Sri Lanka headed for a draw at Karachi Tuesday. The 31-year-old Pakistan captain foiled all Sri Lanka's attempts to take his wicket, finishing with an unbeaten 306 as Pakistan closed the fourth day on 574-5, trailing the tourists' first-innings score of 644-7 declared by 70 runs. On 299, Younus reverse-swept Sri Lankan off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan towards third man to cross the 300-mark, becoming only the third Pakistani behind Hanif Mohammad and Inzamam-ul-Haq to achieve the feat in Tests. The unflappable way in which Younus batted suggests that, on a dull fifth and final day, he may get past Hanif Mohammad's highest Test score for Pakistan (337) and take on West Indian Brian Lara's highest score of 400.