Younis Again Stabilise Pakistan

Harare: Younis Khan again thwarted Zimbabwe with an unbeaten 52 to take Pakistan to 163-3 at stumps on day two of the second Test on Wednesday, cutting the host's lead to 131 in the decider at Harare Sports Club.

Younis followed up his game-changing double century in Pakistan's victory in the first Test with a watchful half century off 127 balls, and settled the tourists with an unbroken 67-run stand with skipper Misbah-ul-Haq, who was 27 not out.

Pakistan had lost opener Khurram Manzoor to a run out early in the final session for 96-3, giving the Zimbabweans hope of taking control.

Younis responded with a typically measured innings, hitting six fours and ensuring he batted through the session to take Pakistan to the end without any further losses.

Khurram Manzoor made a patient half-century as Pakistan reached 95 for two at tea.

Manzoor, who was recalled for the Zimbabwe series after more than three years out of the Test team, run out just after tea on 51.

Younis Khan, who made an unbeaten double century in Pakistan's win in the first Test, was unbeaten on 52.

Manzoor, who survived confident appeals for a catch behind the wicket and leg before wicket early in his innings, showed good timing as he hit nine fours in reaching his fourth Test half-century off 119 balls.

Mohammad Hafeez made 22, his highest score of a poor year in Test cricket, before he was caught at first slip off left-arm fast bowler Brian Vitori, while Azhar Ali made only seven before he was lbw to the accurate Tinashe Panyangara.

Pakistan endured a frustrating morning as it took them more than an hour and one ball short of 20 overs to capture the last two Zimbabwe wickets after the home side resumed at 235 for eight.

Junaid Khan took his fourth wicket of the innings when Prosper Utseya hooked a short ball to deep backward square leg after making a stubborn 22 off 82 balls.

Tendai Chatara and Brian Vitori added 46 for the last wicket, enjoying some fortune but were seldom being threatened by some unimpressive Pakistan bowling on an easy-paced pitch.

Cracks were visible on the surface but the bounce was mainly predictable.

Junaid finished the innings with four for 67 but in eight overs on Wednesday was unable to recapture the menace he showed on the first day.

Off-spinner Saeed Ajmal, who took 11 wickets in Pakistan's win in the first Test at the same venue, sent down seven overs without adding to his single wicket of the first day.

Left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman ended Zimbabwe's resistance when he trapped Chatara leg before wicket.

Brief scores
Zimbabwe 294 (Masakadza 75, Taylor 51, Junaid 4-67)
Pakistan 163 for 3 (Younis 52*, Manzoor 51)
Status Pakistan trail by 131 runs