Cricket: Mohammed holds Pakistan together

Zimbabwe 277; Pakistan 190-8

Zimbabwe 277; Pakistan 190-8

MOHAMMAD WASIM held Pakistan together with a gritty unbeaten innings of 96 in his side's 190 for 8 on the second day of the second Test against Zimbabwe at Harare yesterday.

He batted for a little under six hours, faced 244 balls and struck nine fours, surviving one chance on 81 when he hit a relatively simple return catch to Mpumelelo Mbangwa which was put down.

But two wickets in successive deliveries from Mbangwa, Azhar Mahmood and Wasim Akram first ball, brought some life to the final session on a day generally played at a snail's pace because of a combination of accurate bowling, a slow pitch and several out-of-form Pakistan batsmen.

Resuming on their overnight 18 without loss, Pakistan lost three wickets before lunch as Guy Whittall extracted movement, through the air and off the pitch.