Younis Khan hit a magnificent hundred as Pakistan Probables, making 271 runs in the allotted 50 overs, beat Lahore Panthers by a comprehensive margin of 82 runs in the second of the trial series of five matches, which was played under lights at the Gadaffi Stadium, Lahore.

Pakistan Probables were led by Wasim Akram in the absence of Moin Khan in this match and the side looked depleted by the absence of Inzamam-ul-Haq, Yousaf Youhana, Shahid Afridi, Waqar Younis, and Shoaib Akhtar in their ranks. However, they put up a good show after being put into bat by the Panthers captain, Faisal Iqbal.

Younis, the attacking right-handed middle-order batsman, came to the crease after the fall of Saeed Anwar and Imran Nazir, the opening partners for Pakistan Probables. He added a quickfire 109 for the third wicket with Saleem Elahi (68) to provide a firm base for the late order to take the score past the 250-run mark, which was never going to be an easy target for the young Panthers side.

After the loss of Saleem with the total at 152 in the 28th over, Younis found a useful ally in Misbah-ul-Haq. These two scored at almost a run-a-ball to take the score to 230 by the 39th over.

At this stage, the introduction of paceman Shabbir Ahmed into the attack saw them lose three quick wickets, including that of Younis, for the addition of 14 runs. Younis's knock contained eight fours and three sixes, as he faced 96 balls. His innings was chanceless except when a slight lapse in concentration immediately after reaching his hundred, saw him edging the ball from the part-timer Taufeeq Umar high in the air. However, the opportunity was squandered by Kamran Akmal, who was keeping wicket for the Panthers.

Probables' remaining four wickets failed to cash in upon the excellent start, as only Wasim Akram could muster quick runs in the closing stages of the innings. Despite this brave showing by the skipper, the team was dismissed for 271 with two overs still to be bowled.

Lahore Panthers started off nicely in their run chase, as their opening pair of Taufeeq Umar and Mohammad Ramzan added 74 for the first wicket in 18 overs. Taufeeq, particularly, was in good nick as he scored runs freely against the Probables' attack led by Wasim Akram.

However, the introduction of little Mushtaq Ahmed from the Pavilion End put the barkes on the scoring rate, as he found considerable turn. The fall of two quick wickets – that of Ramzan and Qaiser Abbas – for the addition of 12 runs further worsened the situation for the Panthers.

The Panthers had reached their hundred for the loss of only two wickets, but in the process they had consumed 28 overs, thanks to an over-cautious approach by Faisal Iqbal, who had come to the crease after the fall of the second wicket at 86.

The skipper added 32 for the third wicket with Taufeeq before the latter, in an attempt to accelerate the scoring rate, gave his wicket away for 70 (92 balls).

The fall of Taufeeq's wicket brought Naved Latif to the crease. Naved, who opens the bat for Sargodha in domestic competitions, had fascinated the cricketing world by scoring a mammoth 394 against Gujranwala in a Quaid-e-Azam Trophy match last November. He played some useful shots in the opening part of his innings, but with Faisal Iqbal at the other end, the required rate kept creeping upwards.

Both Faisal and Naved played out the remaining overs of the innings without posing any threat to the target. At the end of their 50 overs, the Panthers could manage only 189 for the loss of three wickets, with Faisal and Naveed each having an unbeaten 42 against their names.

Younis Khan was awarded the man of the match award for his fine effort with the bat. Shabbir Ahmed, after his figures of four for 33 for Panthers, was declared best bowler, while Faisal Iqbal, who took four catches, was adjudged the best fielder.

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