Yousuf Ton Gives Pakistan 50-run Lead over Sri Lanka

Mohammad Yousuf - celebrates another century

Galle: Sri Lanka will start day three 50 runs behind Pakistan after bowling the visitors out for 342.

Mohammad Yousuf scored a century to help Pakistan edge past Sri Lanka's total. Nuwan Kulasekara picked up four wickets and Thilan Thushara three as the hosts hit back late in the day.

Earlier in the day, Mohammad Yousuf and Misbah-ul Haq struck fluent half centuries as Pakistan fought back on day two of the first Test against Sri Lanka in Galle.

Yousuf made an unbeaten 83 and had put on 139 runs for the fifth wicket with Misbah as the visitors reduced the deficit to Sri Lanka's first-innings score of 292 to just 67 runs.

At tea, Pakistan were in the ascendancy having reached 225 for five. Shoaib Malik had joined Yousuf in the middle after Misbah's dismissal and was unbeaten on five at the break.

Sri Lanka's bowlers had achieved a couple of breakthroughs in the morning to leave Pakistan precariously placed at 55 for three when Yousuf walked out to the crease.

A rain interruption, which had extended the session beyond the stipulated time, failed to dent his resistance or break his concentration.

He brought up his half century, the 29th of his career, with a firmly driven boundary of Ajantha Mendis and slammed one more for good effect off the next delivery

Brief Score: Sri Lanka 292 and 0 for 0 trail Pakistan 342 (Yousuf 114, Misbah 56, Kulasekara 4-70) by 50 runs.