Pakistan fought back valiantly on Day 4 thanks to a spectacular double hundred from Younis Khan which took the game away from the hosts.

by Pakpassion Staff (6th September 2013)

Pakistan didn’t have a bright start to the day as Asad Shafiq was cleaned up by Chatara without adding to his overnight tally of 15 runs. Adnan Akmal and Younis Khan steadied the ship and played some positive cricket shots. Younis brought up his 22nd Test century with a four, while Adnan Akmal got to his fifty later and then surpassed his highest Test score with the pair putting on a century partnership. Adnan Akmal's innings ended when he lost his wicket rather unfortunately in a run out for 64. 

Abdur Rehman stayed in the middle for a short while, but was trapped lbw by Prosper Utseya for 9. Saeed Ajmal couldn't repeat his first innings heroics and was also trapped lbw by the same bowler for 1. Junaid Khan came out and was troubled by the short balls, but connected one for four and struck another one, but then was bowled by Prosper Utseya for 8. Rahat Ali came out to bat at a time Pakistan were not really in a safe position, and Zimbabwe scented a chaseable target. 

Younis Khan reached his well deserved 150, and in the meantime Rahat Ali was negotiating the bowlers well and was growing in confidence. Rahat decided to take on Chatara and stunned everybody with his hitting, while Younis also changed gears as he was nearing his double century. Rahat then smacked Prosper Utseya with a couple of sixes in his over, while Younis brought up his 200 with a marvelous six off Utseya. This was his 3rd double century in his Test career. Rahat remained with him unbeaten on 35as Pakistan declared setting Zimbabwe a very unlikely target of 342 to win the 1st Test. 

Fall Of Wickets 

5-169 (Asad Shafiq, 70.5 ov), 
6-287 (Adnan Akmal, 116.5 ov), 
7-309 (Abdur Rehman, 125.6 ov), 
8-313 (Saeed Ajmal, 129.6 ov), 
9-331 (Junaid Khan, 133.4 ov)
 

Zimbabwe went in with their usual opening pair of Vusi Sibanda and Tino Mawoyo. They had to bat out 8 overs out and were on course to do that before Tino Mawoyo fell to Saeed Ajmal in the last over of the day for 2, leaving Zimbabwe to score a further 329 runs in 90 overs, with 9 wickets in hand on the last day. 

Fall Of Wickets 

1-13 (Mawoyo, 7.3 ov)

 

Zimbabwe got off to the perfect start by dismissing Asad Shafiq with the first ball of the day, but after that it was all Pakistan. Younis Khan showed why he is so highly rated and was a shining example of how the best players rise to the occasion when they are most needed. It was a fantastic double hundred which gathered pace at swift rate as Pakistan upped the ante just before the declaration. The contribution of Adnan Akmal should not be forgotten either. His partnership with Younis took the game away from Zimbabwe at just the right time, and highlighted the folly of the selectors who dropped him for the previous Test series against South Africa. Rahat Ali's unbeaten 35 also showed that he is no mug with the bat.

The wicket in the last over was the cherry on top of an excellent day for Pakistan. Misbah-Ul-Haq left the declaration quite late in order to get Younis to a double century, so he may feel some heat if Zimbabwe are 8 or 9 down by the close of play tomorrow.

  Discuss!