Saturday, August 19 2006 10:24 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: Mohammad Yousuf's third century of the series leaves Pakistan in command of the fourth and final Test at The Oval here Friday (18 Aug, 2006).

Pakistan, when bad light forces an early close on the second day, are 336 for three, a first innings lead of 163, with Yousuf 115 not out and captain Inzamam-ul-Haq unbeaten on two.

Yousuf's century follows his 202 in the drawn first Test at Lord's and 192 in England's series-clinching 167-run third Test triumph at Headingley. It is his fourth hundred in five Tests against England.

The right-hander also becomes the leading run scorer in Test cricket this year with 1,110 runs. Together with Mohammad Hafeez, who makes 95 in his first Test in nearly three years, he put on 177 for the third wicket after Yousuf, drops twice early on, has shared a stand of 78 with Imran Farhat (91).

England's attack, as it had been Thursday (17 Aug, 2006) is lacklustre with fast bowler Stephen Harmison way below his best with figures of none for 78 in 15 overs.

"It was as bad it looked," England seamer Matthew Hoggard admits.

"We were below par bowling, below par fielding and we were below par batting yesterday (Thursday). But we've got three days to put that right."

The one consolation for England is that at 2-0 up they'd already won the series.

But Hoggard insists, "We spoke at length before the game saying we didn't want to lose in a dead rubber. We wanted to go 3-0 up."

England's plight is summed up when Hafeez cut a wide ball from pace man Sajid Mahmood and Alastair Cook, on the boundary, concedes a four even though the ball comes straight to him.

Hafeez does give a chance when on 79 he top-edged a hook off Hoggard.

But Monty Panesar, running round from fine leg, fails to hold the difficult, low chance.

Yousuf's two cover-driven fours in sucessive balls off medium-pacer Paul Collingwood takes him through to a 174-ball century with 14 fours.

It is his 19th Test hundred and sixth against England. Opener Hafeez, who'd retired hurt Thursday (17 Aug, 2006) on eight, is equally assured. However, in sight of only his second Test hundred he chips Hoggard to England captain Andrew Strauss at short mid-wicket.

In all he faced 177 balls with one six, a casually struck 'inside out' cover-drive off left-arm spinner Monty Panesar, and 14 fours.

"I wanted to score a century in my comeback game, but I'm happy I did my job for my team," says Hafeez.

"I was lazy with the shot that got me out. I should have come onto the ball first."

Pakistan resumes Friday on 96 for one, 77 behind. Farhat, drops once, is 56 not out and Yousuf 12 not out.

Farhat, whose previous best this series was 34 in the second innings of Pakistan's innings and 120 run second Test defeat at Old Trafford, lofts Panesar's first ball for six over long-on.

But on 87, he fails to control a cut off Hoggard and the ball flaws over the head of Strauss at second slip for four.

Two balls later, however, Farhat, in sight of his third Test hundred, sees his luck run out when he edged Hoggard straight to Marcus Trescothick at first slip, Pakistan 148 for two. Farhat faces 112 balls with one six and 13 fours.

England compounds their poor batting display by dropping three chances in five Hoggard balls.

Farhat, on 49, sees a leaping Collingwood fail to hold a tough chance in the covers off a fierce drive.

Trescothick drops next ball Yousuf, on five, and on nine Cook misses him in the gully.

"We don't mean to drop catches," says Hoggard.

"We know from past form when he (Yousuf) gets in he scores runs. Unfortunately we dropped him twice and he's made us pay."