Younis On 178, Pakistan Set To Avoid Follow-On

The Pakistan captain was undefeated on 178 as Pakistan, who resumed on 296 for three, lost just one wicket.

Younis Khan inched towards a double century and in the process helped Pakistan move closer to avoiding the follow-on at 358 for four at lunch on the fourth day of the first test against Sri Lanka on Tuesday.

The Pakistan captain was undefeated on 178 as Pakistan, who resumed on 296 for three, lost just one wicket and now just need another 87 runs to avoid the follow-on after Sri Lanka amassed 644 for seven declared in their first innings.

Younis shared a fourth wicket stand of 130 with Misbah-ul-Haq, who scored 42 before being trapped lbw by paceman Dilhara Fernando just before the break.

Misbah's innings came from 153 balls with three fours and a huge six off Ajantha Mendis to long on.

The batsmen completely dominated on a pitch getting flatter by the day with Younis, who had batted all through the third day, continuing to frustrate the bowlers and add to his overnight 149.

He is six runs short of becoming the sixth Pakistani to reach 5,000 runs in test cricket.