2nd Test, Day 2: Younis Khan shines for Pakistan yet again

Younis Khan carried on from where he left off in the first Test as he played another solid innings for Pakistan on the second day of the second Test against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club on Wednesday. (Live Scorecard | Commentary)

Pakistan were 24-0 in reply in its first innings at lunch to trail by 270.

Seamer Junaid Khan took 4-67 as Pakistan finally ended a late rally by the Zimbabweans, who added 60 for their last two wickets and 46 by last pair Tendai Chatara (21) and Brian Vitori (19 not out).

The tail moved the home team to a respectable score after it was 203-7 and 237-8 overnight, although Zimbabwe's bowlers need quick wickets to find a way back into the Test and the series.

That didn't appear likely before lunch with Mohammad Hafeez scoring freely and hitting three fours for his 22 not out off 27 balls. Opening partner Khurram Manzoor was 1 not out.

Earlier, Zimbabwe gave itself a fighting chance on a well-worn pitch which also hosted the first Test last week and which could deteriorate and get more difficult to bat on. Last four batsmen Prosper Utseya (22), Tinashe Panyangara (24) and Chatara and Vitori all made contributions to add to the half centuries by Hamilton Masakadza and captain Brendan Taylor on the first day, with Panyangara striking four fours in his rapid knock to give Zimbabwe some late impetus.

Seamer Khan was backed up by spinner Abdur Rehman's 3-47 in Pakistan's bowling effort, while Rahat Ali and Saeed Ajmal also took wickets.

Rehman trapped Chatara lbw to end the innings and Pakistan then cut Zimbabwe's lead to 270 by the end of the first session.

Pakistan won the first Test by 221 runs and needs only a draw at Harare Sports Club to claim the series.