The 22-year-old's explosive 112, including 15 fours and two sixes, revived India after they were left reeling at 147 for seven through a five-wicket haul from seamer Umar Gul.

Gul, playing only his fifth Test, ripped through India's top-order with his accurate line and length to dismiss Virender Sehwag (39), Sachin Tendulkar (2), Vangipurappu Laxman (11), Rahul Dravid (33) and Parthiv Patel (0).

He finished with five for 31 from 12 overs, the first time the 19-year-old has taken five wickets in a Test innings.

Yuvraj then shared in a 117-run stand for the eighth wicket with Irfan Pathan, who scored a dogged 49, after India's stand-in captain Rahul Dravid had elected to bat on a greenish pitch.

In reply Pakistan reached 61 for one at the close after losing opener Taufeeq Umar for 24.

Paceman Mohammad Sami had earlier struck the first blow, removing opener Aakash Chopra for four with a ball that nipped in sharply from outside off.

Sehwag, who struck an Indian record 309 in their first Test win at Multan, again looked in prime form before he poked at an outswinger from Gul and was caught by wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal, who was playing because of a groin injury to Moin Khan.

Gul, lacking in pace but bowling a nagging line, then trapped Tendulkar lbw with a big in-swinger and induced Laxman to edge a fullish delivery to Taufeeq Umar at first slip.

The Peshawar bowler, included in the team because of a shin injury to Shabbir Ahmed, had Dravid caught at first slip and then completed his haul by trapping Patel lbw.

He celebrated by sitting on his knees and kissing the pitch but did not bowl after the dream opening spell due to cramps.

India looked down and out at that stage before Yuvraj cut loose, punishing the Pakistan bowlers with some scintilating strokes.

The left-hander swept leg-spinner Danish Kaneria for his 10th boundary to raise his 50, in only 57 balls, and then raced to his 100, off 110 deliveries, with a single off Sami.

Pathan was unlucky to fall one short of what would have been his first Test 50, lobbing a return catch to Kaneria.

Yuvraj, struggling with a hamstring strain, was the last man out when he was caught at deep mid-wicket while trying to pull Kaneria for a six.

India, playing their first full series in Pakistan in over 14 years, were without regular captain Saurav Ganguly due to a back injury. They lead the three-Test series 1-0.