Zimbabwe vs Pakistan: 1st Test, Day 4 - Younis Khan's double century puts Pakistan in pole position

Younis Khan scored a double century to rescue Pakistan from a tricky situation

Resuming Pakistan’s innings on 168/4, Younis Khan, unruffled by the loss of his partner Asad Shafiq in the first over of the day, strung together valuable partnerships with the lower order to bring up his double century en route to setting a target of 342 for Zimbabwe.

Asad Shafiq, unsure of which way the ball was travelling, saw his woodwork disturbed by an inswinger from Tendai Chatara early in the day. Any hopes of Zimbabwe running through the brittle Pakistani lower order was put to rest quickly as Younis found an able support in Adnan Akmal.

The duo combined to score 118 runs of the next 46 overs. Effectively biding time, Akmal made sure runs also came by before getting run out in a mix up with Younis, who was ball watching, for a 154-ball 64.

By the time the partnership was broken, Pakistan managed to take a healthy lead of 209 runs. Younis, who was on 125* after completing his 22nd Test century and first against Zimbabwe, showed no signs of panic despite Propser Utseya picking up three quick wickets within the next 44 runs scored by the visitors.

Younis had moved onto 150 by then and in his unbeaten 88-run last wicket partnership with Rahat Ali, he scored his last 50 runs off just 53 balls. Piling up further misery on the hosts was Rahat Ali, who in addition to keeping the bowlers at bay, scored 35 quick runs.

As soon as Younis brought up his double century with a six, Misbah declared the Pakistani innings with a lead of 341 runs. Saeed Ajmal nabbed Tino Mawoyo in the last over of the day as Zimbabwe, on 13/1, will be needing 329 more runs to win as they come to bat for the one final time in this Test.