West Indies' Brian Lara cuts on his way to his ninth double century against Pakistan on the fourth day of the second Test in Multan yesterday. - Reuters

MULTAN, Pakistan (AP):

IMRAN FARHAT smashed an unbeaten half century yesterday to lead a confident Pakistan recovery, after Brian Lara posted his ninth double century to give the West Indies an imposing lead on the fourth day of the second Test.

Imran Farhat (70 not out), Mohammad Yousuf (56 not out) and Younis Khan (56) led the fightback with fluent knocks as Pakistan finished the day on a healthy 213 for two in their second innings.

The home team now trails the West Indies by 21 runs with eight wickets in hand.

The same Pakistan batting trio also scored half centuries in the first innings before Pakistan lost their momentum and were dismissed for 357.

Farhat's knock included nine fours, and Yousuf was not far behind with eight fluent fours, as they combined for 89 runs for the unfinished third-wicket partnership.

Lara's imperious 216 off 262 balls propelled the West Indies to 591 before the tourists were dismissed 40 minutes before lunch.

After Mohammad Hafeez (18) was cheaply bowled by Jerome Taylor, Farhat added exactly 100 with Khan for the second wicket before the West Indies struck early in the last session.

Khan, who completed his half century before tea, edged left-arm spinner Dave Mohammed's first delivery to the wicketkeeper on resumption of the third session.

The West Indies missed an ideal opportunity in the next over by medium fast bowler Dwayne Bravo when Shivnarine Chanderpaul - playing in his 100th Test match - spilled Farhat's catch at extra cover when the batsman was on 45.

Yousuf continued his good form this year, which has seen him score six Test centuries, by hammering seven boundaries in his 66-ball half century.

After a subdued start before lunch, Farhat gained confidence and hit three boundaries in offspinner Chris Gayle's one over, while Khan faced little trouble on a flat Multan Cricket Stadium wicket that still looked ideal for batting.

LARA

Lara, who on Tuesday became only the fifth batsman in Test cricket to score a century in the first session before lunch, resumed at his overnight score of 196 and completed his double century when he drove fast bowler Umar Gul through the covers for three runs.

Paceman Shahid Nazir (2-103) got a breakthrough in the fifth over of the day after the West Indies resumed at 509 for five.

Overnight batsman Denesh Ramdin (11) edged to wicket- keeper Kamran Akmal before Mohammed (36) added a quickfire 40 with Lara.

Legspinner Danish Kaneria, against whom Lara scored 73 runs, including three sixes and two fours in one over Tuesday, got some reprieve when he claimed the West Indies captain's wicket.

"The wicket is totally dead for bowlers, but it gives you some sort of satisfaction when you get the wicket of a world-class batsman like Lara," Kaneria said.

Pakistan first innings 357

West Indies first innings

(Resumed at 509 for five)

B. Lara c Malik b Kaneria