Leeds (England): Pakistan’s Younis Khan played a straight bat when asked whether he blamed his captain Inzamam-ul-Haq for running him out on the third day of the third test against England on Sunday.
"It's not problem," said Younis with a wide smile after his dismissal for 173. "It's not the first time it has happened to me. I was run out on 199 against India in Lahore in January. Mind you, that was Shahid Afridi who ran me out then, not Inzy."
Pakistan made 538 in their first innings at Headingley, giving them a 23-run lead over England before the home side ended the day on three without loss.
The 28-year-old Younis put on 363 with Mohammad Yousuf for the third wicket, the highest Pakistan partnership against England for any wicket.
Inzamam did not last long after Younis's departure, contriving to fall comically into his stumps, almost in slow motion, after making 26 as he tried to sweep left-arm spinner Monty Panesar.
It was the first time he had been dismissed in that way in tests.
"No, I didn't laugh," Younis said. "He's the captain, after all." Younis, Pakistan's vice-captain, said, "The game was still evenly balanced but if we get an early breakthrough it could swing to 70-30 in our favour."
"It looks like a batting pitch now but it's not -- there are cracks to exploit if you bowl well."
England's batting all-rounder Paul Collingwood, meanwhile, was enjoying his first wicket in test cricket - and laughing at himself at the same time - after trapping Faisal Iqbal lbw for a golden duck.
"It's taken me 64 overs to get a wicket," said Collingwood, who bowls gentle medium pace. "I didn't realise I would be so pleased. Everybody hugged me. I think it was relief all round. I'll have to work on my strike rate.
"I had a catch dropped off me during the Ashes, off Justin Langer - he said I beat him with pace - and I had a very close lbw decision turned down against (Virender) Sehwag. He hit me for six next ball."
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