Skipper Younis Khan created history by scoring a triple hundred, only the third by a Pakistani in Test cricket – here at the National Stadium on Tuesday.
His extra-ordinary innings not only helped his team to make a huge total of 574 runs for the loss of five wickets in reply to Sri Lanka's 644-7 declared in the first innings by the end of the fourth day's play in the first Test.
Younis Khan is still at the crease batting for almost 12 hours and he is looking towards the Test record for the highest individual innings, set by Brain Lara of the West Indies who made 400 not out in 2004. He has an ample time for creating this record as the match is heading towards a draw.
The new Pakistan captain was well supported by former captain Shoaib Malik (56), Misbah-ul-Haq (42) and Faisal Iqbal (57) and was involved in three consecutive century wicket partnerships – 149 for the third, 130 for the fourth and 174 for the fifth wicket, respectively. The fifth wicket stand is a new record against Sri Lanka.
Sri Lankan bowlers toiled hard throughout the day but could not affect the concentration and determination of the King Khan who has so far hammered 27 fours and four sixes in his unbeaten innings. He overpowered all the opponent bowlers including magician spinner Muttiah Muralitharan and uprising spinner Ajantha Mendis.
Younis took 681 minutes and faced 510 balls becoming the third Pakistani and the 20th batsman in Test cricket to reach 300 runs in an innings. The two earlier Pakistanis were Hanif Mohammad (337) and Inzamam-ul-Haq (329).
Besides, Younis is the first batsman to hit a Test triple hundred against Sri Lanka as the highest individual score against them was 299 by Martin Crowe of New Zealand.
