MELBOURNE, 27 December 2004 — Acting captain Yousuf Youhana led from the front with a century yesterday as Pakistan reached 318 for six on the first day of the second test against Australia.

Rebounding from their crushing 491-run loss in the first Test, Pakistan showed greater resolve on the lower, slower Melbourne Cricket Ground pitch than they had on last week’s bouncy conditions in Perth.

Leading his country for only the second time in his 55-Test career, Youhana scored his 12th century off 117 balls, finishing on 111 when he was stumped down the leg side off the bowling of Shane Warne at 286 for four.

Youhana batted for 3-3/4 hours, hitting 11 fours and four sixes from 134 balls to record his first century against Australia before a crowd of 61,552.

The 30-year-old right-hander dominated a 192-run stand with Younis Khan (87) after Pakistan had lost three wickets for nine runs shortly after lunch.

After Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat, 20-year-old opener Salman Butt scored his maiden half-century in his third Test, hitting 70 from 99 balls.

Paceman Jason Gillespie (3-72) took two wickets in successive overs late in the day’s play as Australia regained some momentum.

Butt, who hit 10 fours, was dropped by Matthew Hayden at gully in the first over of the morning bowled by Glenn McGrath.

Imran Farhat (20) put on 85 for the first wicket with Butt, 13 runs more than Pakistan’s second innings total in the first Test.

Farhat was caught at second slip by Australia captain Ricky Ponting off the bowling of Michael Kasprowicz.

Pakistan were 93 for one at lunch but Australia hit back when Gillespie had Yasir Hameed lbw for two in the first over after lunch. Butt was run out in the next over, attempting a second run. Youhana was also dropped by Hayden, who spilled a head-high chance at gully when the batsman was on 43.

After Warne (1-100) dismissed Youhana at 286 for four, Younis fell 12 runs later, caught behind by Adam Gilchrist after edging a leg cutter from Gillespie.

Gillespie struck again when Ponting took a juggling catch at second slip to remove Shoaib Malik for six at 301 for six.