Middle order batsmen Inzamam-ul-Haq and Yousuf Youhanna hit sparkling form as Pakistan took command on the first day of the third and final Test against England in Karachi. Inzamam was on a swashbuckling 123 not out and Yousuf was 104 as Pakistan closed the first day at 292-3, having recovered from a precarious 64-3 before lunch.

Never keen to run, Inzamam carted 18 boundaries while Yousuf sliced 13 to the fence and a six off spinner Ashley Giles as the pair added 228 runs in their unbroken stand for the fourth wicket.

Inzamam could count himself lucky after a confident shout for leg before off a Marcus Trescothick delivery caught him napping with his score at four, but Pakistani umpire Mohammad Nazir thought he may have got some bat on it.

With one life under his belt, Inzamam treated every English bowler with contempt, driving forcefully and cutting with typical force. When he reached 79 he became the first batsman in the world to complete 1,000 runs in 2000.

The 30-year-old reached his 12th Test century and fourth this year with a rasping cover drive off Ian Salisbury.

England, nearing the end of their first tour here in 13 years and desperate to clinch the series with a win, didn't help their chances with at least two dropped catches and generally sloppy fielding.

Earlier in the first session England seamers Darren Gough, Andy Caddick and part-timer Trescothick exploited the early morning moisture and took a wicket each to leave Pakistan struggling at 64-3.