January 6, 2002	Sunday	Shawwal 21, 1422

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SAVAR (Bangladesh), Jan 5: Unbeaten centuries by Younis Khan and Yousuf Youhana helped Pakistan reach 312-3 declared on the first day of the three-day tour match against Bangladesh A on Saturday.

The visitors predictably dominated the proceedings as they scored runs with ease, with Younis deciding to retire after he reached 112.

Younis’s retirement allowed a couple of his team mates to get valuable practice before the first test against Bangladesh starts on January 9.

“Our batsmen played well in the match which we looked for practice,” Pakistan skipper Waqar Younis told reporters.

“We declared our innings at 312 for three after tea to allow Bangladesh A to bat in a bid to finish their innings as early as possible.”

Bangladesh A captain Akram Khan won the toss and decided to bat to utilise benefits from a fog-dampened flat pitch, but except two, none of his five-men bowling squad could yield any result.

Despite losing two quick wickets, Pakistan took command of the match as Younis and Youhana (101 not out) scored runs with their sparkling batting.

Medium pacer Talha Zubayer was the pick of the Bangladeshi bowlers as he took advantage of the damp pitch to claim the wickets of Shadab Kabir (11) and Taufiq Umar (15).

Zubayer forced Kabir to play a full-length delivery edging the ball to wicketkeeper Anwar Hossain. He then bowled Umar with a slower delivery.

The match is a warm-up for Pakistan’s two-test series against Bangladesh which will be followed by three one-day internationals.