Abid Ali pushes on as Pakistan look for dominant first-innings total

Opener Abid Ali continued his monumental knock on day two as Pakistan crawl towards a dominant position in the second Test against Zimbabwe in Harare on Saturday with a scoreline of 353 runs for the loss of seven wickets in 118 overs as the teams head for lunch.

The Men in Green managed 85 runs for the loss of three wickets in the first session of day two and look poised to pose a significant first-innings total.

Opener Abid Ali started the day with nightwatchman Sajid Khan. The nightwatchman provided stiff resistance and managed to soak up considerable pressure as Zimbabwe desperately searched for a breakthrough.

Pacer Donald Tiripano finally got the better of the defiant batsman as he edged a wide delivery into the hands of wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva after scoring 20 runs off 54 balls.

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Wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan got a start but could not capatalise on it, falling to bowler Tendai Chisoro, caught by fielder Richard Ngarava after scoring 21 runs off 32 balls.

Tailender Hasan Ali, who is gaining a reputation as a slogger, fell for a duck off the bowling of pacer Luke Jongwe, caught by wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva. 

Meanwhile, Abid Ali continued to be the rock of Pakistan’s innings. The opener has amassed an unbeaten 151-runs off 320 balls in a marathon knock and will come out to the middle once play resumes after lunch.

Zimbabwe’s bowlers Tiripano, Chisoro and Jongwe picked up one wicket apiece for their side in the first session on day two.