Zimbabwe vs Pakistan: Misbah and Younis stall Zimbabwe's progress

Deja Vu all over again for Misbah-ul-Haq

Dismissing Zimbabwe for 327 runs in their first innings, Pakistan ended day three on 168/4 with a lead of 90 runs. Misbah-ul-Haq and Younis Khan scored half centuries to help the visitors recover from an early setback.

Resuming the innings on 281/7, Zimbabwe lost all their remaining three wickets to Saeed Ajmal, who ended up with a seven wicket haul, but not before Elton Chigumbura’s resilient 69 off 129 deliveries gave the home side a cushion of 78 runs.

In reply, Pakistan were dented by three quick wickets to leave them reeling at 23/3, after being at a similar situation of 27/3 in the first innings.

However, the visitors could consider themselves a bit unlucky this time as Khurram Manzoor and Azhar Ali were declared LBW to deliveries that were shown to be going over the stumps on replays. Tinashe Panyangara was fortunate to add two more wickets to his tally.

Hafeez, no stranger to looking out of depth as a Test batsman at the top of the order, spooned one to extra-cover to give Tendai Chatara his first wicket.

Pakistan were staring at the possibility of only their third Test defeat in the hands of Zimbabwe, the previous loss coming way back in the 1998/99 series at home. But the experienced duo of Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-haq combined to put together a 116-run partnership for the fourth wicket to save their team from embarrassment temporarily.

In a matter of three hours, Pakistan, turning the tables with a lead of 61 runs and seven more wickets in hand on a supportive pitch to the bowlers, were threatening to take the match away from the hosts.

Shinji Masakadza provided the breakthrough for Zimbabwe just at the right time, dismissing Misbah, caught at cover of an attempted drive, for a well battled 52 off 157 balls.

Younis Khan, remaining unbeaten on 76, and Asad Shafiq, on 15 runs, saw off the day for Pakistan. The match is tantalizingly poised for an intriguing finish, with Younis holding the key.