Late wickets blight Zim's impressive day

Zimbabwe reached stumps on day three of the second Test against Pakistan holding a lead of 185 runs, though three late wickets somewhat dented their good cheer and they'll start day four with two batsmen on zero.

Zimbabwe reached stumps on day three of the second Test against Pakistan holding a lead of 185 runs, though three late wickets somewhat dented their good cheer and they'll start day four with two batsmen on zero.

Pakistan were all out for 230 in the afternoon session, with Zimbabwe fast bowler Brian Vitori claiming a five-fer as his side secured a 64-run lead. The hosts then extended that lead by 121 runs, losing four wickets.

The visitors started the day on 163 for three, with Younis Khan and Misbah-ul-Haq in the middle, and after the morning session they had lost two wickets and sat on 211 for five, though Younis was unbeaten.

The veteran batsman was on 52 at the start of play, and reached 76 by lunch. Misbah, meanwhile, made 33 runs off 120 balls before Vitori claimed his wicket in the first over of the new ball.

The other wicket to fall in the morning was that of Asad Shafiq, who could consider himself unlucky. He was bowled by Tendai Chatara for 10, but the third umpire decided the paceman had a fraction of his boot behind the line and denied the no-ball query.

This left Younis and Adnan Akmal to see out the session, with the wicketkeeper unable to get off the mark before the break. Akmal was only able to add six to the tally in the afternoon though, before falling to Vitori.

Before that though, Tinashe Panyangara nearly bagged a hat-trick as he dismissed Younis and Abdur Rehman with successive balls soon after the restart. Younis was on 77 off 223 balls, before be was caught by Tino Mawoyo. Rehman was trapped LBW.

Vitori wrapped up the innings by removing Adnan, Saeed Ajmal and Junaid Khan, all for single figures, leaving the hosts with a handsome 64-run lead with half the day to play.

The final hour of the session was also slow going, with the hosts scoring 30 runs for the loss of one wicket in the 14 overs before tea. Prosper Utseya opened the batting in place of an ill Vusi Sibanda, but could only make five runs before being dismissed by Rahat Ali.

The evening session was all about Hamilton Masakadza and Tino Mawoyo's resistance, and they put on a century partnership in 43-odd overs. Mawoyo recorded his half century and Masakadza crept to 44 off 120 balls.

Both batsmen, as well as night watchman Panyangara, fell in the final three overs of the day. Mawoyo was first, for 58, trapped LBW by Rehman. Masakadza soon followed, though his LBW was unlucky as it was missing off stump.

Rehman wrapped up the day with a wicket, as Panyangara sent a bat pad catch to short leg. This brought about the close, and Zimbabwe were visibly disappointed at losing both their set batsmen so late in the day.

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