KARACHI, 30 October 2004 — Pakistan took charge of the second and final Test against Sri Lanka here yesterday as recalled middle order batsman Younis Khan celebrated his return to the national team with a fine century.

The 26-year-old Younis made 124 to help lift the home team to 298 for 4 at the close of the second day’s play, a lead of 90 runs after Sri Lanka scored 208 in the first innings.

At stumps skipper Inzamam-ul Haq remained unbeaten on 79 after Riaz Afridi was bowled by Chaminda Vaas for nine in the last over of the day.

Younis, playing his first Test in 13 months and the 29th of his career, hit a dozen boundaries and a six in his 316-minute innings, which ended when he edged left arm spinner Rangana Herath to slip, four overs before close.

Younis’ performance gave Pakistan’s batting line-up some much-needed stability after failures in the batting line-up in the team’s 201-loss in the first Test at Faisalabad.

Younis, from Peshawar, reached his sixth career century with a pulled shot off Dilhara Fernando for two runs.

He added 149 runs with Inzamam and justified the backing of his captain, who has been accused in the local media of favoring him too much, in pushing for his recall.

“I am thankful to Inzamam for having confidence in me. I knew I had to make full use of the one chance I got and this century will go a long way in furthering my career,” Younis said.

“I am lucky that Inzamam was at the other end and he helped me with useful advice.”

Inzamam was in masterful form himself and matched his partner stroke for stroke. On 66, the burly right-hander scored his 7,000th run in his 96th Test.

He is only the second Pakistani batsman after Javed Miandad (8,832 runs in 124 Tests) and the 24th batsmen in the world to cross the milestone.

Inzamam, who took 14 deliveries to score his first run, opened up in the second session by hitting two boundaries off pace spearhead Vaas and a six off Herath to take Pakistan to 214-2 at tea with Younis at the other end.

Pakistan had lost opener Yasir Hameed in the fourth over of the day for three when he was judged caught behind after chasing a wide delivery off Farveez Maharoof.

Behind the stumps was Kumar Sangakkara, who was keeping wickets in the absence of regular keeper Romesh Kaluwitharana, who injured his right hand while batting on Thursday.

Younis, a regular member in One-Day matches, then helped set up Pakistan’s innings with a partnership of 122 for the second wicket with Imran Farhat.

Farhat was out in the penultimate over before lunch for 72 when Vaas trapped him leg before wicket.

Vaas was the pick of Sri Lanka’s bowlers with 2-57.