Close Pakistan 429 for 7 (Yousuf Youhana 174*, Younis Khan 119) lead Bangladesh (148) by 281 runs
scorecard

Centuries from Yousuf Youhana and Younis Khan put Pakistan in complete control of the second Test at Chittagong and condemned Bangladesh to another defeat inside three days - if recent form is anything to go by.

For eight balls the day belonged to Bangladesh. Pakistan had not added to their overnight score of 99 for 1 when they lost a wicket, Taufeeq Umar wafting a gentle outswinger from Mohammad Sharif to Aminul Islam at third slip for 47. But from then on it was help-yourself time for the batsmen.

Younis and Inzamam-ul-Haq added 67 for the third wicket. Inzamam took a long time to find his touch, and was reprieved on 11 when he was dropped in the slips. As lunch beckoned, Inzamam woke from his slumber, unleashing a series of cover-drives and then launching a massive six off Fahim Muntasir. It was a false dawn. Two balls later he gifted Muntasir his first Test wicket, tamely edging to Islam at second slip for 30 (166 for 3). Younis, who was dismissed for a duck in the first Test, was not going to repeat that aberration, and duly completed his fourth Test century shortly after lunch. Landmark achieved, Younis cut loose and soon gave Muntasir his second wicket when an ambitious sweep looped to Mehrab Hossain at midwicket (236 for 4). Younis had made 119 in a little over four hours. Rather than give Bangladesh's tiring bowlers any respite, that wicket just resulted in Pakistan upping the tempo. Yousuf smashed an unbeaten 174 off 203 deliveries, including 31 fours, and only his running between the wickets looked likely to end the onslaught. Twice he survived narrow run-out appeals after questionable calls on his part.

For a time it seemed that the only other threat to Yousuf was that he would run out of partners, as Pakistan's batsmen lost their heads at the sight of easy runs. Abdur Razzaq was bowled by Sharif for 18 (274 for 5), Rashid Latif was trapped lbw by Manjural Islam for 15 (315 for 6) and then Waqar Younis top-edged an extravagant sweep off Muntasir to Hossain at short cover for 10 (339 for 7). But Saqlain Mushtaq restored order, happy to play the anchor role while Yousuf made hay. By the close the pair had added an unbeaten 90 for the seventh wicket, of which Saqlain's share was 7 off 60 balls.

Yousuf should complete his second Test double-century early tomorrow morning before Bangladesh are exposed to the Pakistan attack for a second time in three days. Given the easy pickings on offer, the bowlers will be fighting for their turns to grab some cheap wickets.

Martin Williamson is managing editor of Wisden.com.

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