Pakistan struggle at 87-3 in second innings

Pakistan struggle at 87-3 in second innings

HARARE: Pakistan after repeating top-order collapse in the second innings were struggling hard on 87 for three at tea on the third day of the first Test here at the Harare Sports Club ground on Thursday.

Zimbabwe after taking an effective lead of 78 runs in the first innings, grabbed three early wickets to leave Pakistan reeling on 23 for three in the second innings before captain Misbah-ul-Haq and veteran batsman Younis Khan came to rescue.

They batted cautiously, adding an unbeaten 64 runs in 24.4 overs against accurate bowling, with some balls keeping low. Pakistan now were nine runs ahead of Zimbabwe with seven wickets in hand.

Younis was batting on 29 while Misbah was on 37 at tea.

Tinashe Panyangara took two wickets for 12 runs in eight overs. He gained both his wickets with deliveries which cut back, trapping Khurram Manzoor and Azhar Ali leg before wicket.

Tendai Chatara claimed the third wicket when Mohammad Hafeez drove a catch to short cover.

Earlier, Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal took seven for 95 as Zimbabwe were bowled out for 327. Ajmal took all three Zimbabwe wickets that fell on Thursday as the host nation added 46 runs to their overnight 281 for seven.

Elton Chigumbura became the third Zimbabwe batsmen to score a half-century, making 69 before he was ninth out, caught off bat and pad at short leg by Azhar Ali after a 129-ball innings which included eight boundaries.

Last man Chatara was out first ball, caught at gully by Younis Khan.

Overnight batsmen Chigumbura and Shingi Masakadza took their eighth wicket stand to 32 before Masakadza went back on his stumps and was leg before wicket to Ajmal for 14. Chigumbura played some attacking strokes as he added a further 17 with Panyangara before he was out.

It was Ajmal's eighth haul of five or more wickets in Tests. His best figures were seven for 55 against England in Dubai in January 2012.