Younis, Youhana steady Pakistan against India
Pakistan Times Sports Desk

CALCUTTA (India): Younis Khan overcame his twin failures in the first Test to steady Pakistan with a fighting 50 not out on the second day of the second Test against India here.

The Pakistani vice captain, who made nine and one in the drawn Test in Mohali, completed his 11th Test half-century in the last over before tea on Thursday to help Pakistan reach 147-2 in reply to India's first-innings total of 407.

Yousuf Youhana was unbeaten on 44 at the interval.

Younis was involved in an unfinished 77-run stand for the third wicket with Youhana after his team had lost openers Shahid Afridi and Taufeeq Umar.

Afridi played an attractive cameo, smashing seven fours in his 21-ball 29 before being caught by Sachin Tendulkar at mid-on off left-arm fast bowler Irfan Pathan.

The aggressive opener, who had already hit three boundaries in that over, top-edged a pull shot.

Left-handed Umar failed to capitalise on two early chances, making 18 before giving a head-high catch to Harbhajan Singh at mid-wicket off paceman Laxmipathy Balaji.

Umar had not opened his account when he was dropped by Rahul Dravid at first slip off Balaji. He was on one when he was let off by Virender Sehwag at third slip off the same bowler.

Younis then batted with confidence against both pace and spin on an easy-paced Eden Gardens track to prop up the innings.

Youhana, who made 68 in the previous Test, again looked in good form and provided valuable support to his vice captain to deny India further success in the post-lunch session.

India earlier added 63 to their overnight total of 344-6, with Harbhajan (27) and Anil Kumble (21 not out) putting on 44 for the last wicket.

The hosts were in danger of falling below the 400-mark when they lost their ninth wicket at 363, but Harbhajan and Kumble batted stubbornly to frustrate Pakistan.

Pakistan had to take the second new ball after 107 overs at 390 in a bid to break the partnership, but Kumble greeted fast bowler Mohammad Sami with two fours in an over.

Seamer Abdul Razzaq finally ended the Indian innings when he trapped Harbhajan leg-before for his third wicket in the innings.

Kaneria and Afridi also finished with three wickets apiece.●