BULAWAYO, MARCH 18: Zimbabwe’s hopes of winning the opening Test match against Pakistan were frustrated by a determined fifth-wicket partnership of 110 either side of tea between Yousaf Youhana and Moin Khan here today.
Yousaf — in only his second Test made a cultured 64 and, with Moin, who went on to compile a well-struck 97, defied the Zimbabwe bowlers for 41 overs.
Although the 23-year-old Yousaf was eventually dismissed in the 87th over after top-edging a pull off Heath Streak to wide mid-on, Pakistan were effectively safe at 190 for five with 19 overs remaining.
Set an unlikely target of 368 runs for a win, Pakistan resumed the fifth and final day at 24 without loss and they were 258 for six when the match was called off 6.3 overs early.
Moin, who dominated a brisk sixth-wicket stand of 68 with Ijaz Ahmed, was denied a fourth Test century when he mistimed a sweep off the occasional slow left-arm of Dirk Viljoen to short fine leg.
SCOREBOARD:
Zimbabwe (first innings) 321
Pakistan (firstinnings) 256
Zimbabwe (second innings) 302-4 declared
Pakistan (second innings, overnight 24 for no loss): Saeed Anwar c Goodwin b P Strang 37, Ali Naqvi c Goodwin b Mbangwa 13, Saqlain Mushtaq c A Flower b Streak 8, Inzamam-ul-Haq c A Flower b Streak 12, Yousaf Youhana c Viljoen b Streak 64, Moin Khan c Goodwin b Viljoen 97, Ijaz Ahmed not out 15; Extras: (lb6, b6) 12.
Total (for six wickets) 258
Fall of wickets: 1-28, 2-54, 3-70, 4-8o, 5-190, 6-258.
Bowling: Heath Streak 18-6-42-3, Mpumelelo Mbangwa 22-13-29-1, Paul Strang 27-5-69-1, Guy Whittall 18-5-61-0, Andrew Whittall 8-3-28-0, Murray Goodwin 2-0-3-0, Viljoen 3.3-0-14-1.