Younis century stretches Pakistan lead

HARARE: Younis Khan completed his 22nd Test century as Pakistan overcame the loss of a wicket in the first over of the fourth day of the first Test against Zimbabwe on Friday.

Pakistan were 258 for five at lunch at the Harare Sports Club, an overall lead of 180. Younis was unbeaten on 115.

Fast bowler Tendai Chatara bowled overnight batsman Asad Shafiq with the fifth ball of the day with one run added to the overnight score of 168 for four.

At that stage, Pakistan were in a shaky position, just 91 runs ahead, but wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal joined Younis and they built an unbeaten sixth wicket partnership of 89, seeing off the second new ball, which was taken ten overs into the day.

Younis survived a chance when he had 83, edging medium-pacer Hamilton Maskadza low to slip, where Tina Mawoyo was slow to react.

That apart, it was a solid, patient innings marked by good shot selection.

He was kept quiet through the nineties but bided his time until he was able to work an over-pitched ball from Chatara off his toes to the square leg boundary for his 11th four. His century was scored off 221 balls.

Akmal went to lunch on 46 not out off 84 balls, with seven fours, mixing some streaky shots with some fine attacking stroke play.