A fine century by young Yousaf Yohanna and swashbuckling half-centuries by Moin Khan and Saeed Anwar helped Pakistan senior team declare its first innings at a good total of 329 for five on opening day of the three-day practice match against Pakistan ``A'' at the Qadhafi Stadium on Friday.
Captain Aamir Sohail scored 63 but in his second stint. He could find his touch after he was recalled to occupy the crease. Aamir Sohail was first caught by Athar Laeeq off Aaqib Javed for only 10 and was given a second opportunity to do some more batting practice. Aamir Sohail hit 13 boundaries in his knock of 63. He was finally caught by Muhammad Javed off young left-arm paceman Naeem Ashraf.
In reply, the Pakistan ``A'' side, which is scheduled to embark on a tour of New Zealand towards the end of the current month, lost both the openers Shahid Afridi (9) and Salim Elahi (17) for 40 runs at stumps.
Yousaf Yohanna staked his claim for selection in the Pakistan Test team by scoring a fluent 100 off 148 deliveries. He hit 17 elegant boundaries.
In the best, fourth-wicket partnership of the day, Yousaf Yohanna and Saeed Anwar added 80 precious runs to lift the Pakistan senior team total.
Saeed Anwar hit three big sixes and six boundaries in his 38-minute stay at the crease before being retired at the score of 68 to try some other batsmen.
Moin Khan scored 52 in exact 52 minutes in his usual flamboyant style. He hit two sixes and five fours before being caught by Athar Laeeq off the bowling of off-spinner Murtaza Husain. Incidentally, Salim Malik (23 with four boundaries) was also claimed by the bowler Murtaza, who had him caught by Aaqib Javed.