FAISALABAD, 26 January 2006 — The second Test between Pakistan and India, which was heading towards a draw from the third day of the match, finally ended without result but not before two prolific Pakistani batsmen, Younis Khan (194) and Mohammad Yousuf (126) had plundered the Indian bowlers for 242 runs for the third wicket on the final day here yesterday.

The fate of the three-Test series, with the first two Tests drawn will now be decided in Karachi, where the archrivals will clash for supremacy from Sunday in the third and final Test. Younis, who was unlucky to have missed a double-hundred in Lahore, being run out at 199, once again failed to achieve the feat here yesterday when he was trapped lbw by young seamer Rudra Partab Singh in the last session of the day’s play.

The Pakistani vice-captain seemed to have a penchant for the Indian bowlers, his hundred yesterday being fourth against India in as many matches. Earlier he scored 147 in Calcutta and 267 in Bangalore during the Indian tour last year and then 199 in Lahore in the first Test of the current series. His 194 on Wednesday included 32 fours and a six, which is his 11th Test century in 41 Tests. Younis found a useful partner in Yousuf who posted his 16th Test century after Pakistan had lost Kamran Akmal for 78 in the morning session.

Younis, 64 overnight, hit off-spinner Harbhajan Singh for his 14th boundary to hoist his second consecutive century of this series. Kamran Akmal, who resumed Pakistan’s second innings at 59, fell to a miscued drive off Irfan Pathan and was caught by Anil Kumble at gully. His 78 included 13 boundaries from 152 balls as he added 129 with Younis for the second wicket. Yousuf, who replaced Akmal, had a lucky escape early in his innings when Kumble spilled a two-handed chance off a miscued drive off RP Singh when the batsman was on four. Yousuf, who scored 173 in Lahore, went on to register his 16th Test century with a flick for two off Pathan before being run out in the second over after tea. His 179-ball knock included 11 boundaries and four sixes and he also completed 1,000 runs against India in 11 Tests. Later paceman Zaheer Khan removed Abdul Razzaq (32), Shahid

Afridi (one), Mohammad Asif (zero) and Danish Kaneria (0) in successive overs to finish with 4-61. Pathan, Kumble and Singh grabbed a wicket each while Harbhajan Singh was unlucky to remain wicket-less in this series.

Malik Ruled Out of Pakistan Squad for Third Test

Pakistan all-rounder Shoaib Malik has been ruled out of the third Test against India after the death of his father.

The Pakistani selectors have called up batsman Faisal Iqbal and pace bowler Umar Gul to the 16-man squad for the Test starting on Sunday in the southern port city of Karachi.

“Malik has not been considered for the third Test because he wants to spend time with his family after the untimely death of his father,” board official Abbas Zaidi told Reuters.

“The Pakistan Cricket Board fully understands his state of mind at the moment and sympathizes with him.” Malik’s father Malik Faqir Hussain died of liver cancer yesterday morning in Sialkot, Punjab.

The all-rounder, who on Sunday night left for his hometown to be with his father, was recalled on Tuesday in case he was needed to bat in the second innings on the final day of the second Test in Faisalabad.

Zaidi said that Faisal and Umar had both been picked on account of their outstanding form in domestic cricket.

Faisal, who is a nephew of former captain Javed Miandad and has played 10 Tests, last appeared for Pakistan in 2003 against South Africa while Umar’s last appearance for his country was against India at Lahore in 2004.

Then he took five for 31 before breaking down with a stress fracture of the back.

Zaidi said the selectors had also retained captain Inzamam ul-Haq in the squad despite his own back problem.

“He is resting on the advice of the doctors and also undergoing necessary rehabilitation process we are very hopeful he will recover in time to lead the team in the final Test,” he added.