June 12, 2003	Thursday	Rabi-us-Sani 11, 1424

Please Visit our Sponsor (Ads open in separate window)

NORTHAMPTON (England), June 11: Younis Khan made timely return to form with 69 as Pakistan defeated Northamptonshire by 62 runs in their one-day tour match here on Wednesday.

It was just the morale boost Pakistan needed ahead of their one-day series against England after edging past Scotland by one wicket and losing to Essex by 50 runs in their earlier tour matches.

Younis, who struck five fours and one six in his 82-ball knock, received good support from Imran Nazir (66 off 63 balls, 12 fours and one six) and Yasir Hameed (62 off 74 balls, five fours) as Pakistan put together some meaningful partnerships.

In reply, despite David Sales’ 104 off 109 balls with 12 fours and three sixes, Northamptonshire finished on 236 all out — well behind Pakistan’s total of 298 for seven.

After Pakistan captain Rashid Latif won the toss, openers Imran Nazir and Mohammad Hafeez (38) put on 116 in 18 overs.

Then, following a brief wobble when both men were dimissed in the space of three overs, Pakistan recovered through Younis and Yasir who put on 126 for the third wicket.

At 252 for two, a total above 300 was a real possibility, before several wickets fell cheaply as Pakistan declined to 274 for six.

Fast bowler Mohammad Sami then put Northamptonshire on the backfoot by dismissing openers Mike Hussey and Mark Powell with the new ball.

Sales and Jeff Cook (45) gave the hosts some hope with a stand of 106 in 19 overs but thoughts of a fightback were stalled when Shoaib Malik bowled Cook.

Sales completed his century in grand style with a six off a Sami no-ball but the day belonged to the tourists.

Pakistan’s final warm-up match is against Leicestershire on Saturday with the three-match one-day series against England starting, with a day/night encounter, at Old Trafford on Tuesday.