Misbah helps Pak battle their way to 369/5 at close on Day 3

Bangalore, Dec 10 (UNI) Misbah-ul-Haq kept Pakistan's battle on course with a gritty unbeaten 54 as the visitors, chasing a mammoth Indian first innings total of 626, ended the third day at 369 for 5 in the third and final Test against India here today.

Pakistan, resuming at the overnight score of 86 for one, kept themselves in the hunt to first avoid the follow on, with their stand-in skipper Younis Khan contributing a fighting 80.

He added 72 runs with Yousuf Youhana (24) as the two experienced batsmen propped up the visitors' innings after the dismissal of opener Salman Butt (68) before lunch.

However, both departed after playing needless shots to put Pakistan under pressure.

Misbah and wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal (32 batting) remained at the crease on the draw of stumps to reserve their fight for tomorrow. Pakistan still need 58 runs to avoid a follow on.

Indians bowled as per their plan with Harbhajan Singh and Anil Kumble keeping the rival batsmen in check. But, the hosts' bowlers scored a dubious record of giving away their highest ever extras in Test cricket today with 70 runs coming not from the willow of Pakistani batsmen.

This surpassed India's earlier record of giving away of 60 extras against England in 1979.

Kumble, Harbhajan, Ganguly, Ishant Sharma and Irfan Pathan took one wicket each.

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