Pakistan vs Zimbabwe

Waller leads strong Zimbabwe batting

Tea Zimbabwe 163 for 3 (Waller 64*, Raza 29*) trail Pakistan 249 (Azhar 78, Misbah 53, Chatara 3-64) by 86 runs
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Even after the strong showing of their bowlers on the first day in Harare, doubts persisted over whether Zimbabwe would pose a challenge, given the fragility of their Test batting, especially in the absence of Brendan Taylor, and the quality Pakistan's attack. Those concerns were heightened soon after lunch, when both the set batsmen Vusi Sibanda and stand-in captain Hamilton Masakadza were dismissed off consecutive deliveries.

Malcolm Waller, who found form over the past week after a miserable India series, and debutant Sikandar Raza, though, underlined Zimbabwe's ability to stand up to the bigger teams with an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership that reduced the deficit to double-digits. The stand was dominated by Waller, who went for his shots despite the tricky situation, while Raza was generally content playing more sedately.

Saeed Ajmal was the obvious danger for Zimbabwe, and a big, ripping offbreak in the 22nd over sent a warning to the batsmen. After lunch, however, he wasn't able to replicate that dramatic turn, and Waller and Raza weren't unduly bothered. Waller cover drove his first ball off Ajmal for four, a stroke which made frequent appearances through the innings. The area around point also proved profitable, as he cashed in on the width provided by Pakistan's bowlers.

Their partnership mirrored the resolve shown by the top order before lunch. Pakistan's quicks, Junaid Khan and Rahat Ali, produced a number of testing deliveries but couldn't maintain a consistent line, which meant the pressure didn't really build on the openers. Junaid didn't get the ball to jag in towards the stumps from over the wicket, but he had immediate reward when he switched angles. From round the wicket, he got his first delivery to angle in and then leave Tino Mawoyo, who could only nick through to the keeper, ending his comeback innings on 13.

The other opener, Sibanda, had a difficult time early on, particularly against Rahat, and was struck on the forearm and later just above the waist. He played some graceful strokes as well when the bowlers erred, the highlights being effortless off-drives down the ground. When Rahat lost his line and length in the 19th over, Sibanda took him for three fours.

Keeping him company was Masakadza, who launched a six onto the sightscreen in Ajmal's first over. Zimbabwe cruised past 50 and when an inside-edge looped just beyond the reach of short leg in the 22nd over, you could see the disappointment in Misbah-ul-Haq's face.

He had plenty to be happy about soon after lunch though. Off the final ball of a testing over, Sibanda fell to a Junaid delivery that moved slightly away, before Masakadza was bowled by a straighter one from Ajmal. Fears of a familiar collapse came flooding back, but Waller and Raza pushed Zimbabwe into a position of strength.