Farhat turns the ball away against the India tourists in Lahore

Opener Imran Farhat struck a timely century as Pakistan A recovered from a difficult start on day two of India's tour-opener in Lahore.

On the day that Yasir Hameed was ruled out of the first Test, Farhat hit 16 fours and a six as the home side rallied from 26-2 to 212-4 by stumps.

Skipper Hasan Raza struck 11 fours and a six in a rapid 75 from 62 balls.

Earlier VVS Laxman and Yuvraj Singh had time to follow the upper order past 50 before India declared on 414-7.

The match is the only warm-up before the first Test begins on Friday.

The only batsman dismissed short of a half century was Mahendra Dhoni, caught off Mohammad Irshad for 22 after Laxman (54) and Yuvraj (59) retired in Lahore.

It was very important for us to start well because we had a good break for 10 days and wanted to have a good match before we go to the Test Yuvraj Singh

It was the second wicket for Pakistan A pace bowler Mohammad Irshad, 22, but the rest of the attack could not impress.

Aside from Farhat, the early batting was not particularly favourable either, with Bazid Khan caught at second slip off Ajit Agarkar for six in the seventh over and Mohammad Wasim lbw to Irfan Pathan for a single in the next.

Raza made nought and one in the first Test against England and 21 in the second Test before he was left out of the final match.

Back as A team supremo, he shared a partnership of 160 in 28 overs with Farhat, before edging Parthan to keeper Dhoni.

Hameed ruled out of first Test

Farhat was handed a reprieve on 95 when Yuvraj Singh dropped him at mid-wicket off Pathan.

Having reached his century, Farhat launched Harbhajan Singh for six before he gave a simple catch to backward point in the spinner's next over, shortly before bad light ended play eight overs ahead of the scheduled close.

The 23-year-old left-hander, who made his Test debut in New Zealand aged 18, played the last of his 15 Tests in the Boxing Day match against Australia at Melbourne in 2004.

"This innings has helped me to get back my confidence, I know it can revive my career," he said.

"But it's up to the selectors whether they consider me for the Test or not."

India batsman Yuvraj Singh believes the tourists have had good preparation for the Test series with Pakistan with this game.

Yuvraj's 59 came from 79 balls as each of the top six India batsmen got amongst the runs.

"It was very important for us to start well because we had a good break for 10 days and wanted to have a good match before we go to the Test," he said.

"You need to get into a good groove before any important match, and we go in with a lot of confidence."