Youhana ton puts Pakistan in command

Yousuf Youhana scored his 10th century and reached 3,000 runs in Test cricket to guide Pakistan to a commanding position on the second day of the second Test against Zimbabwe on Sunday.

The Pakistani number five was 116 not out at the close, while the visitors reached on 295 for five in reply to Zimbabwe's first innings of 178, a lead of 117.

Kamran Akmal was 27 not out in an unbroken sixth wicket stand of 70.

Youhana, who shared a fourth wicket stand of 127 with Younis Khan, was dropped when he had made 88, put down at mid off by substitute fielder Blessing Mahwire off left arm spinner Ray Price.

The centurion survived again when, on 105, he drove a delivery from Mluleki Nkala and was dropped by Hamilton Masakadza at short cover.

At the close, Youhana had been at the crease for almost five hours, faced 225 balls and hit 15 boundaries.

The accurate, probing Price bowled unchanged from the second over of the morning until nine overs after lunch, and ended a scorching hot day with figures of one for 82 from 39 overs.

Fast bowler Henry Olonga lacked consistency, but had luck on his side and took three for 49.

Pakistan resumed on 29 without loss and lost their first wicket in the 13th over of the day when Salim Elahi dragged a delivery from Olonga on to his pads and then his stumps to be bowled for 27.

That ended an opening stand of 63 shared with Taufeeq Umar, who departed in Olonga's next over when he attempted to cut a low bouncing delivery and was caught behind off the bottom edge by wicketkeeper Tatenda Taibu for 34.

Five overs later Price sent a quicker delivery past Inzamam-ul-Haq, who was attempting to pull, from over the wicket and bowled him for 11.

Younis and Youhana then took control with deft, well timed strokes all around the ground in a partnership that stretched from 11 overs before lunch until eight overs after tea.

MISSED CHANCE

Zimbabwe squandered an opportunity to end the stand at 74 when slow left armer Grant Flower induced an edged drive from Younis, on 46, with his third ball of the match. Alistair Campbell at slip dived to his left but failed to hold the sharp chance.

Younis, who made 52, was eventually removed by fast bowler Andy Blignaut who, armed with the new ball, trapped him in front with a delivery that seamed into the batsman's front pad as he went on the drive.

Olonga took his third wicket six overs later when Hasan Raza shouldered arms to an inswinger.

Debutant opening batsman Mark Vermeulen left the field with a dislocated little finger on his left hand after fielding a fierce drive from Inzamam-ul-Haq at short mid wicket.

Zimbabwe team management said Vermeulen was unlikely to field again in the innings and they were unsure whether he would be able to bat in the home side's second innings.

Match report: Day 1

Mail Cricket Editor