t at second slip) and again on 75 (when Alex Barrow was unable to cling on to an even tougher chance offered via the inside edge). But, in between times, h

Pakistanis 324 for 5 (Younis 99*, Shafiq 80, Masood 62) v SomersetScorecardThere may be more impressive individual performances and more action-packed days in the next two or three months but, in the context of this Pakistan tour, this was an almost perfect start.On a benign pitch, in front of a good natured crowd, Pakistan were able to ease their way into a tour that promises some tough moments on and perhaps off the pitch, with a low-key day - a wonderfully low key day from a Pakistan perspective - of gentle cricket.It wasnt like this the last time they were here. The last time Pakistan were in Taunton, in September 2010, they were besieged. It was only days after the News of the World story had broken and, as helicopters hovered over their hotel and journalists waited in the car-park, the atmosphere inside the squad was anything but low key and gentle.The Pakistan camp remain nervous, probably unnecessarily so, about the reception that awaits them on this tour. So to have started this trip with three weeks training out of the spotlight and then enjoy a relatively uneventful day during which nearly all of their top six enjoyed a decent amount of time in the middle represented an ideal start.Not for the first time, Pakistan were grateful to the composure and class of Younis Khan. The 38-year-old, who missed the 2010 tour having fallen out of favour with the team management, finished the day unbeaten on 99 having added 179 for the fifth-wicket with Asad Shafiq.It was not a flawless innings. Younis was reprieved on 20 (a tough chance wide to Marcus Trescothicks right at second slip) and again on 75 (when Alex Barrow was unable to cling on to an even tougher chance offered via the inside edge). But, in between times, he began to settle into the pace of pitch and the movement in the air and unveiled many of those familiar strokes - the devastating sweep, the flamboyant cut and the pleasing drives off front and back foot - that have already brought him more than 9,000 Test runs and 31 centuries.Its not easy for any team when they come to England, Younis said afterwards. But we have come to the country very early and we are very well prepared. I think this may be the first time that Pakistan have batted well at the start of a tour. We nearly all had 50 or 60 balls in the middle.It would be fantastic for me if my performances helped the team do well. It would make me the happy man of the earth.Shafiq was no less impressive. Joining Younis with the side on 132 for 4 and in just a little trouble, he survived an early run out chance but then was admirably compact and watchful in steering his side into a safer waters. While he may reflect he squandered an excellent opportunity to register a century - he sliced a somewhat wild drive off a wide one that turned a little - he will have taken confidence from this start.The one man to miss out was the captain. Misbah-up-Haq felt for his second ball, a delivery some way outside off stump, without any foot movement and edged to slip.Tougher challenges remain, of course. The days when county teams looked upon these matches as an opportunity to make a name for themselves are largely gone, especially for bowlers. So here Somerset, resting the Overton brothers and Lewis Gregory, fielded an attack that included three men with one Championship cap for the club between them including a first-class debut for 18-year-old off-spinner, Dominic Bess, who moved from Sidmouth to Exeter a couple of years ago to ensure him of more opportunity at club level.They bowled tidily enough. Paul van Meekeren, a Dutch international who has been playing club cricket for Benwell Hill near Newcastle, has just signed until the end of the season and did himself no harm with a whole-hearted effort. After Mohammad Hafeez missed a straight one, van Meekeren produced a beauty that draw a stroke from Azhar Ali but left him to take the edge.Tim Groenewald also finished with two wickets. Two balls before Misbahs departure he had seen Shan Masood fall across a straight one as he tried to whip the ball through the leg side.But Josh Davey, the Scotland international, was less fortunate. After dropping a relatively simple caught and bowled chance offered by Masood on 17, he was also the unlucky bowler on both occasions that Younis was reprieved. On another day, he might also have won a leg before shout against Hafeez before the batsman had scored.Masood, especially efficient off his legs, and Hafeez, who pulled successive sixes when the medium-paced Davey dropped short, may both feel they missed out on the chance to cash-in against this inexperienced attack. But, in terms of gaining time at the crease ahead of the serious business part of this tour, this was a pleasing start for Pakistan. Carlos Gomez Mets Jersey . Gather a group of friends, or find a league to join online, draft your team, set your lineup and compete in a number of different formats. Pete Alonso Mets Jersey .C. United of Major League Soccer. United chose the defender in the second round of the 2013 MLS re-entry draft. http://www.metssale.com/mets-mookie-wilson-jersey/ .Y. -- Leading 3-0 with only 11:25 left, the Colorado Avalanche committed a seemingly meaningless penalty to give the New York Islanders a power play. New York Mets Jerseys .5 seconds to play in the game, Kevin Love never stopped believing that they would come out of there with a win. Jason Vargas Jersey . Mitch Holmberg added a goal and three assists. Connor Chartier also scored for the Chiefs (3-0-0). Luke Harrison spoiled Garrett Hughsons shutout bid with a power-play goal at 13:17 of the third period. The Spokane goaltender finished with 28 saves, including a Brandon Fushimi penalty shot in the second period that would have tied the game 1-1. COLLEGE STATION, Texas -- Texas A&M is getting used to running its offense through its big men, and the Aggies so far are digging the results. Center Tyler Davis scored 17 points and guard D.J. Hogg added 12 as Texas A&M overwhelmed American for a 76-53 victory on Monday night in Reed Arena.For the second consecutive game against an undersized opponent, the Aggies (2-0) dominated inside, in outscoring the Eagles 44-22 in the paint.Our guys bought in defensively, and our length and our size in the paint gave them problems, A&M coach Billy Kennedy said. We have good size at every position.Hogg added a game-high nine rebounds, and A&M freshman forward Robert Williams added 10 points and two blocks in only his second game. Williams (6-9, 237) now has seven blocks on the season.Delante Jones led American (2-0) with 18 points and Saeed Nelson followed with 12. The Aggies made 6 of 14 3-pointers (42.9 percent), including a combined 4 of 5 by Hogg and freshman Eric Vila.The Aggies led 20-15 a little more than midway through the first half when they decided, thanks in large part to the 6-10 Davis and 6-9 Hogg, to put away the Eagles by the break. Davis and Hogg combined to make 9 of 13 field goals in the first half in staking A&M to a 41-20 lead.Theyre really big and talented and good at what they do, American coach Mike Brennan said of the Aggies. We knew it was going to be a huge challenge. Their perimeter guys are just as good as their big men -- they can make shots and play on the perimeter -- but their focus is getting the ball inside.The Aggies had dominated Northwestern State 42-8 in points in the paint in their Friday opener, a 72-44 victory over the Demons, when Davis also led the way with a game-high 16 points and 10 rebounds.Its beautiful, Hogg said of running the offense through the big men, particularly Davis, a preseason first-team All-SEC selection by the coaches. Tyler takes a lot of pressuree off of us, because he needs a double team to be stopped.dddddddddddd Otherwise its bucket after bucket.BIG PICTUREThe Aggies were wary of American only losing by six points (62-56) at Maryland on Friday, so they used their lopsided size advantage early and often to overwhelm the Eagles. A&M intends to work inside-out on offense all season, with center Tyler Davis the focal point.The Eagles are hoping a couple of rugged road losses to start the season will help when they need it most, and when the competition isnt quite as tough: in Patriot League action.HIGHLIGHT REEL:A&M freshman forward Robert Williams sailed above the rim for an alley-oop slam dunk on a pass from D.J. Hogg to make the score 62-32 in the second half. Williams already owns a collection of highlights in only two games for A&M.STAT OF THE NIGHT: Because of the 19-point lead at halftime, A&M was able to get nine players at least 14 minutes each in the game, and the Aggies reserves outscored their counterparts 31-6.HE SAID IT: The bigs make it easier on us. They give us open shots, because people have to dig in down low. A&M guard D.J. HoggTHEY SANG IT: A&M students serenaded sophomore guard Admon Gilder with a rousing rendition of Happy Birthday on the night of his 21st. Their timing was questionable, considering he was about to shoot a free throw. He made it.HE SAID IT PART TWO: I was about to say, `Quiet down, so he can focus. Hogg, chuckling, on Gilder preparing to shoot the free throw under the pressure of happy birthday to you.UP NEXTThe Aggies schedule toughens on Friday, when they play host to Southern California and try and stay undefeated on the early season.The Eagles will try and earn their first win of the season on Thursday at Akron after tough losses at Maryland and A&M to start the season. ' ' '