KOLKATA, Dec 4: A memorable unbeaten century from stand-in captain Younis Khan enabled Pakistan to secure an honourable draw in the second Test against India here at the Eden Gardens in a tension-filled final day on Tuesday.

Younis led from the front to give Pakistan, who dearly needed a draw here to remain alive in the series, the lifeline.

Set an improbable target of 345 in 81 overs after India declared their second innings at 184-4 earlier on Tuesday, Pakistan survived through 77 overs to finish at 214-4 with Younis (109 off 182 balls, 14 fours) and Mohammad Yousuf (44 off 110 balls, six fours) taking them to safety by adding 136 off 222 balls for the unbroken fifth-wicket partnership when the match finished after the eightieth mandatory over.

Younis, who was critical of the team selection only three days ago, let his bat do the talking on Tuesday.

Typically, Younis got to the landmark in his inimitable way when he reverse-swept Harbhajan Singh to the point boundary after surviving a close call in the same over but Billy Doctrove stood motionless when it seemed the entire ground went in unison to claim an LBW.

Yousuf, who is still deserted by the form and hunger that inspired him to enjoy a record-breaking Test year in 2006 when he surpassed the longstanding mark of the legendary Sir Vivian Richards, played an excellent hand that was long overdue from a seasoned campaigner like him. His presence at the crease, lasting 143 minutes, was as vital as that of Younis.

Kumble and Harbhajan, as expected on a last-day track, did bulk of the bowling, sending down 56 overs between them.

The rock-solid batting display by Younis and Yousuf painted a contrasting picture in the period either side of lunch when Pakistan slumped to 78-4 when Yasir Hameed (14), Kamran Akmal (14), Salman Butt (11) and Misbah-ul-Haq (6) were all back in the hut.

Yasir – partnered by Kamran after his opening partner Salman was forced to leave the field after taking a tumble during the final moments of the Indian innings – perished in the seventh over.

A rush of blood instigated Yasir, who slap a sharp return catch to Zaheer Khan.

Kamran and Salman hung on grimly until lunch which arrived at Pakistan 37 for one. But on the second ball after the break, Kumble struck another blow as Kamran, instead of playing on the front foot, unwisely went back to cut, but completely missed the line as the ball crashed into the leg stump.

Salman, who had admirably defended for 90 balls, then got the shock of his life when Doctrove adjudged him leg-before-wicket to Kumble. TV replays suggested the left-hander was struck outside the line when the Indian captain bowled from round the wicket.

Misbah, for a change, failed for the first time in the series when Munaf Patel got one to nip back as the batsman was sucked into drive at a wide delivery, but the ball managed to sneak through the huge gap between bat and bat.

Earlier, Shoaib Akhtar, whose selection for this Test was shrouded in controversy owing to his lack of fitness, picked up his first wickets of the match as the Indians swung their bats at everything while adding 43 runs in 38 minutes after resuming the last day at 141-2.

Mahendra Singh Dhoni (37 off 61 balls) missed a slower delivery that knocked back his leg stump after darting in sharply like an off-spinner.

Saurav Ganguly too, was hoodwinked a slower one that also clipped his leg stump. Ganguly (46 off 58 balls, four boundaries) had a game to remember after scoring his first Test century in front of his own fans.

Ganguly’s dismissal signalled the declaration with Rahul Dravid remaining unbeaten on eight. Shoaib and Danish Kaneria finished with two wickets apiece. For the fourth time running in the series, Mohammad Sami’s wicket column remained blank.

In the end, Pakistan emerged from this Test with confidence restored. India, on the other hand, were left to rue the missed opportunities that let off both Misbah and Kamran and allowed them to give the tourists a new lease of life with that rearguard act of defiance on the third afternoon.

And as for Younis, who turned 30 on eve of the Kolkata Test, it was a birthday present.

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