Youhana unbeaten as Pak wrap up series

Pakistan's Yousuf Youhana underlined his remarkable form against Zimbabwe when he hit an unbeaten century to steer his side to a series win in the third one-day international on Wednesday.

Youhana reached his 100 with a six off the last ball of the innings as Pakistan made 323 for five before restricting Zimbabwe to 275 for seven to win by 48 runs and claim the five-match series.

Youhana, who faced 68 balls and hit eight fours and two sixes, scored 141 not out and 76 not out in the first two matches in Bulawayo at the weekend, and has a series aggregate of 317 runs without dismissal.

The visitors won the first two matches by seven runs and by 104 runs.

Youhana was ably assisted on Wednesday by opener Salim Elahi, who scored his second consecutive ton -- a career-best 108 -- as Pakistan amassed another imposing total after making 302 for four and 344 for five in Bulawayo.

Elahi, who scored 53 and 107 at the weekend, faced 119 balls and hit 10 fours.

Taufeeq Umar and Elahi provided Pakistan with a solid opening stand of 154, which came to a close in the 30th over when Umar pulled a delivery from slow left-armer Grant Flower to deep square leg for Mark Vermeulen to take a spectacular diving catch.

The left-handed opener scored his 68 off 91 balls with five fours.

BRIEF COMEBACK

Zimbabwe made a comeback of sorts in the 43rd over when Sean Ervine at fine leg fielded well and delivered a pinpoint throw from the boundary to hit the stumps and run out Elahi as he attempted a second run.

Two balls later and without a run added, Nkala at deep mid wicket held a difficult catch to dismiss Shahid Afridi for a duck after the all rounder had pulled the second ball he faced off medium pacer Gary Brent.

But Youhana treated the hapless Zimbabwe attack with disdain and completed his century by pulling the last ball of the innings -- a gentle full toss from Brent -- high into the stands beyond the mid wicket boundary.

Zimbabwe made a promising start to their reply through opening batsman Vermeulen, whose 79 off 81 balls with 13 fours was his maiden half-century in only his second one-day international.

Vermeulen attacked the bowling with a range of aggressive strokes that eased the loss of Dion Ebrahim, who was run out for seven by Faisal Iqbal's underarm throw from short cover in the ninth over.

But Zimbabwe lost momentum when Vermeulen was trapped in front by a straight, quicker delivery from leg spinner Afridi in the 22nd over.

The home side's only other significant batting came from the Flower brothers, Andy Flower scoring 63 off 81 balls and Grant Flower 54 off 56 balls.

Together they put on 104 for the fourth wicket stand but Zimbabwe's chances of saving the series disappeared when they both fell to Saqlain Mushtaq.

Second ODI: Wasim whips Zimbabwe as Pakistan triumph

Mail Cricket Editor