Cricket: Yousuf powers to tour century

THE THREATS have been withdrawn, the security is in place, the New Delhi pitch is under repair. Yesterday the cricket finally began. Yousuf Youhana lashed 124 and Inzamam-ul-Haq hit an unbeaten 98 to give Pakistan a flying start to their tour of India that had been under threat from extremists until the last moment.

Pakistan powered to 334 for 6 declared after winning the toss on the first day of their three-day match against India A, who were 62 for 2 at the close. Wasim Akram's team had started Pakistan's first test tour of India for 12 years with 3,000 security men deployed in and around Gwalior's cricket stadium. The Hindu Shiv Sena party had warned that it would disrupt the visit, but withdrew its threat hours before the touring side arrived on Thursday.

Pakistan launched the tour impressively despite the early loss of their openers Saeed Anwar and Wajahatullah Wasti, who both went without scoring to the medium pacers Dodda Ganesh and Laxmi Ratan Shukla. Youhana hit a six and 21 fours, including four in one over from Ganesh, during his 156-ball innings while Inzamam struck four sixes and 12 fours. Shukla ended Youhanna's innings, having him caught by Jacob Martin at point as he went for a rash off-drive.

The 17-year-old Shukla, named in India's squad for the First Test in Madras starting on Thursday, generated a degree of pace but was punished by Inzamam and Akram (40), who took 16 runs off one of his overs.

India have announced sweeping changes to their Test squad since losing the series in New Zealand 1-0 earlier in the month. The openers Ajay Jadeja and Navjot Sidhu are dropped to make way for 17-year-old all-rounder Shukla and left-handed opener Sadagopan Ramesh. "We thought youngsters should get a chance." Ajit Wadekar, the chairman of India's selectors, said. Pakistan will play two Tests against India and also participate in a triangular one-day tournament next month when Sri Lanka return from their three-pronged series with Australia and England.