LAHORE, Oct 26: Shoaib Malik, who is being touted as a Test opener in the coming England series, took advantage of a docile pitch to hammer an unbeaten 177 as Pakistan XI piled up 352 for two against Rest of Pakistan in the trial match at the Qadhafi Stadium on Wednesday.

Shoaib, who has gradually emerged as a batting all-rounder, and Younis Khan, the Pakistan vice-captain who made 107, came together in a massive second-wicket partnership of 265 after Shoaib Akhtar had sent back Salman Butt for one in the fifth over of the morning.

Shoaib Akhtar, the fast bowler with a lot to prove after missing out the series in India and West Indies, generally struggled as both his namesake and Younis took advantage of a batting paradise.

Leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmed, also bidding to regain his Test spot after two years in the wilderness, had a torrid day as he toiled through 19 overs without any reward while being taken for 89 runs.

Salman, the left-handed opener, failed to judge a sharp in-swinger from Shoaib Akhtar and was trapped right in front of the middle stump.

But after that early break, the Rest of Pakistan endured a tough day as both Shoaib Malik and Younis settled in nicely for the best part of the next four hours.

They carried the score to 83 for one at lunch while the afternoon session produced 134 runs as pair cut, pulled and drove with disdain.

Shortly before tea, Shoaib Malik brought up his century when he pulled a no-ball from medium-pacer Umar Gul to the square-leg boundary.

Younis, however, lost concentration soon after reaching three figures immediately after lifting leg-spinner Mansoor Amjad for a huge six.

He was caught on the mid-wicket fence by Taufiq Umar after striking 11 fours and that six in his 133-ball 107.

Mohammad Yousuf joined Shoaib Malik to plunder further 81 runs in the unbroken third-wicket stand. Yousuf hit eight boundaries in his 42. But the day belonged to Shoaib, who has so far struck 25 fours and four sixes during his 217-ball knock in a long stay of 370 minutes.

Shoaib Akhtar bowled off his full run-up in three spells to finish the day with one for 50 in 15 overs.

The forgotten Mushtaq, who bowled 15 overs for 49 runs in his initial spell, was very expensive in his second spell during which he gave away 40 runs in four overs.

Mansoor Amjad and Umar Gul were others to suffer. Mansoor’s 17 overs yielded 114 runs while Umar conceded 60 runs from eight overs.

SCOREBOARD