HARARE: Pakistani bowler Nauman Ali’s brisk 97 during the second day against Zimbabwe in the 2nd Test series putting the Pakistani team in a dominating position.
Pakistani players now one wicket away from a series victory against Zimbabwe, after the hosts ended day three with a scoreline of 220 runs for the loss of nine wickets, still trailing by 158 runs in the second Test in Harare on Sunday.
Another successful day for Pakistan as they are now a wicket away from their second win by an innings margin. Hasan Ali records his career-best figures in an innings and Nauman Ali took second Test five-fer.
Report ➡️ https://t.co/V8GjfH8EH5
Scorecard ➡️ https://t.co/Zdt2tz6Cbg pic.twitter.com/oNWbafmz0V— PCB Media (@TheRealPCBMedia) May 9, 2021
Pakistan currently leads the two-match Test series one-nil and looks poised to win the second match as well, despite Zimbabwe’s resistance, after their dominant display thus far.
After being bundled out for 132 runs in the first innings, still trailing by 378 runs, Zimbabwe’s batsmen came out with positive intent when asked to follow on.
Opener Tarisai Musakanda (eight off 13 balls) was the first to depart off the bowling of pacer Shaheen Shah, caught behind by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan.
Opener Kevin Kasuza departed next, bowled by spinner Nauman Ali, after scoring 22 runs off 73 balls. Batsmen Regis Chakabva and Brendan Taylor, however, went after Pakistan’s bowling in a bid to release some pressure.
Stumps (day 3) at Harare Sports Club#ZIMvPAK | #HarHaalMainCricket | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/JavaLeR80x
— Pakistan Cricket Live (@TheRealPCB_Live) May 9, 2021
Brendan Taylor was finally removed by pacer Shaheen Shah, caught by wicketkeeper Mohammad Rizwan after an enterprising knock of 49 runs off just 31 deliveries. Nauman Ali then started to weave his web that would severely dent Zimbabwe’s efforts with the bat in the second innings.
The well-set batsman Regis Chakabva edged a Nauman Ali delivery, which was expertly caught by skipper Babar Azam, after he had managed 80 runs off 137 balls. Batsman Milton Shumba was Nauman’s next victim, caught sharply by fielder Imran Butt, after scoring 16 runs off 41 balls.
Nauman Ali then caught batsman Donald Tiripano for a duck before an ill-advised slog resulted in the undoing of batsman Roy Kaia for a golden duck as the spinner completed a much-deserved fifer.
Pacer Shaheen Shah then came roaring into the match, shattering the stumps of tailenders Tendai Chisoro (eight from 12 balls) and Richard Ngarava with a pair of vicious yorkers.
All-rounder Luke Jongwe remained unbeaten in the end after scoring 31 runs off 51 balls alongside tailender Blessing Muzarabani (0 off 12 balls) as the umpires called for stumps on day three.
Pakistan will begin day four requiring just one wicket for a series victory. Nauman Ali picked up five wickets for his side while Shaheen Shah bagged four during Zimbabwe’s second innings.
Second Test five-fer for Nauman Ali ????#ZIMvPAK | #HarHaalMainCricket | #BackTheBoysInGreen pic.twitter.com/mKb6vXcW02
— Pakistan Cricket (@TheRealPCB) May 9, 2021
