After bowling out Zimbabwe for 294, Pakistan were in some trouble at 96/3 before their old guard combined once again to dig them out.

by Pakpassion Staff (11th September 2013)

At the end of the first day, Zimbabwe were 238/8 with the tail starting to wag. Thanks to some enterprising batting by their tailenders, they reached 294. Junaid Khan picking up 4 wickets with Abdur Rehman following with 3 victims. Rahat Ali 2 and Saeed Ajmal 1 played their part but Saeed Ajmal would be slightly disappointed with his haul. 

Fall Of Wickets

248/9 (Prosper Utseya, 96.4 ov),
294/10 (Tendai Chatara, 109.5 ov),
 

Pakistan openers, Mohammad Hafeez and Khurram Manzoor strode in. Hafeez had taken a lot of flak from all concerned about his meager record in Test matches while Manzoor has also not had the best tour so far.

Some classy straight drives by Hafeez provided what would prove to be a false dawn as the beleagured all-rounder edged one to slip for his highest total of the series so far - 22. Manzoor, on the other hand, looked solid and confident. He played some cracking shots, but at the other end wickets kept falling. This time it was Azhar Ali who was trapped plumb in front for just 7. In came the double centurion from 1st Test, Younis Khan who guided the innings firmly - almost continuing from where he stopped in the previous game. Manzoor brought up his fifty just before Tea as Pakistan were poised at 95/2. 

Just after tea, Manzoor was run out for 51. In came the captain, Misbah. He and Younis built a nice unbeaten partnership together of 67 (29.1 overs). Younis brought up his 50 as well as his 7000 runs in Test cricket with a boundary. With Misbah looking largely untroubled at the other end, Pakistan stand solid with their two best batsmen on the crease. 


Fall Of Wickets

29/1 (Mohammad Hafeez, 10.5 ov),
62/2 (Azhar Ali, 23.1 ov),
96/3 (Khurram Manzoor, 38.5 ov),

 

Day 2 started with Zimbabwe tail adding what many felt were crucial runs as they ended up making 294. In return, the consistent failure of Mohammad Hafeez to make a score of substance is a source of worry for Pakistan but the success of Manzoor, Younis and Misbah so far should settle any nerves in the Pakistan dressing room. Day 3 should be an important one for Pakistan as a solid lead could put them firmly in the driving seat.

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