Younis defends fragile top order

Younis Khan defended his team's inexperienced opening pair after Pakistan collapsed to 19-3 in the second innings against Sri Lanka. Sri Lanka were bowled out for 388 early on day three of the second Test in Dubai, but the hosts lost a trio of quick wickets to leave them staring an innings defeat in the face. Openers Khurram Manzoor, playing his 13th Test, and Ahmed Shehzad, playing in his second, struggled to cope with the bowling of Nuwan Pradeep and Rangana Herath and both men went while still in single figures. Shehzad was first to go as Herath had him caught behind for nine, and five overs later Manzoor was dismissed for six, but Younis had sympathy for both players, who are still adapting to the long form of the game. "Ahmed is new to Test cricket so I think we must give him some time," he said. "Khurram I think is doing well as he has had some experience in Tests. "I hope they learn from their mistakes. The first four batting positions are very crucial in Tests, so you can say it has something to do with their fitness, as much as their experience." Manzoor's wicket brought captain Misbah-ul-Haq to the crease and together with Younis they put on 113 runs for the fourth wicket to rescue Pakistan before bad light stopped play. "I tried to fightback," he continued. "In the end, it was good that I had a partnership with Misbah. The seniors always perform whenever the team needs them to, so that's good. "What was needed was to stay simple on the pitch and play according to situation." The hosts are still 91 runs behind going into the fourth day and the 36-year-old is looking to build a lead big enough to give his bowlers something to bowl at. "The first target is that we get a lead of around 220," he added. "Something like 200-300 runs on the board will be good for us. "If we cash in on one or two sessions and stay there together, you never know. Anything can happen on the last day."