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Akram slams ton as Pak pile huge score

Former captain Wasim Akram hit a quickfire 100 off only 89 balls to become the fourth century-maker of Pakistan's first innings in the second Test against Sri Lanka at Galle on Friday.

Pakistan declared their innings at 600 for eight, leaving Sri Lanka to get 419 to avoid an innings defeat.

By close on the third day, the home side was 45 for one wicket.

Akram brought the Pakistan run spree to a spectacular climax by thrashing six sixes and eight fours as he followed Saeed Anwar (123), Inzamam-ul-Haq (112) and Younis Khan (116) to three figures.

His third Test hundred in his 97th match came after Younis reached three figures earlier in the day from 233 balls, hitting one six and eight fours. It was his second century in his eighth Test.

When Pakistan resumed at the overnight score of 341 for five, Younis and Abdur Razzaq (48) increased their sixth wicket stand to 106 before the latter was bowled by off-spinner Muttiah Muralitharan, who finished with four for 138.

Younis and Akram put on 120 for the seventh wicket, and Pakistan subsequently overhauled their previous highest total against Sri Lanka of 594 in the 1998-99 Asian test championship final in Dhaka.

When Akram tried to hit his seventh six and was caught by Marvan Atapattu off the occasional bowling off Mahela Jayawardene, Pakistan skipper Moin Khan declared.

Sri Lanka, who trail 1-0 in the three-test series, suffered a siginficant setback before the close when Waqar Younis removed captain Sanath Jayasuriya for 21.

Agencies