Inzamam-ul-Haq celebrated his 100th Test with a gem of a century and Younis Khan made an unbeaten 127 to lead Pakistan's fightback in the third and final Test against India on Thursday.
Pakistan lost two wickets for seven runs before posting 323/2 at stumps on the opening day, thanks to an unfinished 316-run stand for the third wicket between Inzamam (184 not out) and vice-captain Younis Khan.
Younis, who scored 147 in the second Test at Kolkata, completed his second successive Test hundred to play a big role in Pakistan's revival. This was his eighth ton in 35 Tests.
Pakistan are attempting to force a series-levelling win after losing the Kolkata Test by 195 runs. The first Test in Mohali ended in a draw.
Inzamam did everything right in his special match, first giving his team a big advantage by winning the toss on a good batting track and then completing a fluent 21st Test hundred under pressure to steer his team to safety.
The Pakistani captain overshadowed Younis, who began slowly before going for big shots. Younis hit the first six of the day, lofting off-spinner Harbhajan Singh over long-on.
{{/usCountry}}The Pakistani captain overshadowed Younis, who began slowly before going for big shots. Younis hit the first six of the day, lofting off-spinner Harbhajan Singh over long-on.
{{/usCountry}}It was a frustrating day for the Indian bowlers as the Pakistani batting flourished after the soft dismissals of openers Shahid Afridi and Yasir Hameed in the opening three overs.
Harbhajan, reported for his suspect bowling action in the last Test, and Younis exchanged words in the final session, requiring the intervention of Inzamam and New Zealand umpire Billy Bowden.
But the day belonged to Inzamam, who became only the fifth batsman to score a hundred on his 100th Test appearance.
Others who achieved the feat are Englishmen Colin Cowdrey (vs Australia in 1968) and Alec Stewart (vs the West Indies in 2000), Pakistan's Javed Miandad (vs India in 1989) and West Indian Gordon Greenidge (vs England in 1989).