Younis Khan becomes 3rd Pakistan batsman to complete double ton with a six
The right-handed middle order batsman came to the crease when Pakistan were struggling at 21/2, having conceded a first innings lead after Zimbabwe scored 327 in reply to their first innings score of 249.
Younis Khan showed the value of experience as he hit an unbeaten double ton in the second innings against Zimbabwe in the first Test at Harare. Younis' 200 not out came off 404 balls and included 15 boundaries along with 3 sixes. Starting from an overnight score of 90, with Pakistan struggling at 168/4, Younis stayed firm at the crease on Day 4 as Zimbabwe bowlers tried to pile on the pressure.
With Zimbabwean off-spinner Prosper Utseya bowling and Younis on 194, the batsman decided to take a chance which paid off. With that shot over the boundary, skipper Misbah-ul-Haq decided to declare too. Younis thus joined Javed Miandad and Wasim Akram as the third Pakistan batsman to reach a double ton with a six.
Younis added 118 runs for the sixth wicket with Adnan Akmal who scored 64. While his innings was one of occupying the crease, he did cut loose at times with some fluent shots to the fence. He reached his double hundred in style hitting a huge six over the top.
His dogged resistance seemed to inspire the lower-order as they stuck around with the veteran. Rahat Ali, Pakistan's number 11, helped Younis add 88 runs for the last wicket to take Pakistan to a comfortable 419/9, setting Zimbabwe a target of 342. Zimbabwe ended the fourth day at 13/1. Saeed Ajmal struck in the last over to remove Tino Mawoyo lbw for 2.
This was Younis' 22nd Test hundred, which also includes 4 doubles tons now, and first against Zimbabwe. His last century came against South Africa in February this year. The right-hander seems to have a hunger for big scores, his personal best being 313 against Sri Lanka in 2009. Earlier in 2005, he hit 267 against India in Bangalore.