Pakistan escape to victory

HARARE, March 25: Half-centuries by opener Saeed Anwar and emerging middle-order batsman Yousaf Youhana took faltering Pakistan to a three-w...

HARARE, March 25: Half-centuries by opener Saeed Anwar and emerging middle-order batsman Yousaf Youhana took faltering Pakistan to a three-wicket win over Zimbabwe in the second Test today.

Pakistan, who needed 192, stumbled from 58 for one overnight to 138 for five but a swashbuckling 65 (89b, 120m, 8×4, 1×6) from Anwar and a confident 52 (98b, 5×4, 1×6) by Yousaf secured victory — and the short series 1-0 — on the fifth and final day. “The fourth innings of a Test is often difficult and we played very badly in the middle order,” Pakistan captain Rashid Latif said later.

Zimbabwe coach Dave Houghton pinpointed dropped catches in the Pakistan first innings as his side’s biggest disappointment of the Test. Needing 134 more to win on the last day, Pakistan started shakily when they lost Waseem for eight in the second over. Four overs later, the out-of-form Inzamam-ul Haq charged the leg-spin of Adam Huckle and was stumped by Andy Flower for an unconvincing 10.

Anwar was then superbly caught bysubstitute fielder Andy Whittall at silly mid-on after firmly pushing a Guy Whittall delivery off his pads.Moin Khan, who never looked entirely at ease, pushed loosely at paceman Heath Streak and edged to second slip to depart for 21.Five overs after lunch, Pakistan faltered further when Ali Naqvi, on eight, was given out caught behind trying to late cut Huckle.From 162 for six, Pakistan eased towards their target under the influence of Yousaf, before driving at medium-pacer Guy Whittall to be caught in the gully.

SCOREBOARD

Zimbabwe (1st innings): 277

Pakistan (1st innings): 354

Zimbabwe (2nd innings): 268

Pakistan (2nd innings; overnight 58-1): Saeed Anwar c sub (A Whittal) b G Whittal 65, Azhar Mahmood c Campbell b Streak 9, Mohammed Waseem run out (Mbangwa) 8, Inzamam-ul Haq st A Flower b Huckle 10, Yousuf Youhana c Goodwin b G Whittal 52, Moin Khan c Campbell b Streak 21, Ali Naqvi c A Flower b Huckle 8, Wasim Akram not out 12, Rashid Latif not out 1; Extras: (b2, lb3, nb1) 6.

Total(for 7 wickets in 53.5 overs): 192

Fall of wickets: 1-14, 2-69, 3-77, 4-105, 5-138, 6-162, 7-186Bowling: Streak 13-5-40-2, G Whittal 15-4-35-2, Mbangwa 2-0-11-0, Huckle 18.5-1-81-2, Strang 5-0-20-0.