ZIM vs PAK: Abid Ali And Azhar Ali Centuries Put Pakistan In Strong Position

Centuries by Abid Ali and Azhar Ali put Pakistan in a strong position on the first day of the second Test against Zimbabwe at Harare Sports Club on Friday. Abid (118 not out) and Azhar (126) put on 23

 'Tough day' 

"It was a really tough day," said Muzarabani. "We just had to be patient. If we can keep them under 360 we will be happy." Azhar did not give a chance on the way to his 18th Test century.

Abid was dropped on 94 during anxious progress to his third Test hundred – his first since reaching three figures in both his first two Tests, against Sri Lanka, in December 2019.

Abid had already spent 17 balls in the nineties when he stretched for a flighted, wide delivery from left-arm spinner Milton Shumba and edged a chance which was put down by wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva.

It took Abid another 19 deliveries before he cut Tendai Chisoro, another left-arm spinner, to reach the milestone with his 14th boundary.

Abid faced 246 balls and hit 17 fours in his innings. Azhar scored his runs off 240 deliveries with 17 fours and a six. Zimbabwe started the day well, claiming the wicket of Imran Butt in the eighth over.

Butt top-edged a pull to midwicket against left-arm opening bowler Richard Ngarava after scoring two off 20 balls. But Abid and Azhar settled in on an easy-paced pitch after seeing off some good bowling by Ngarava and Muzarabani.

Zimbabwe, already hit by injuries to three leading batsmen, had a new injury concern when Roy Kaia was taken off on a stretcher shortly before tea.

Fielding at short leg, he was struck a heavy blow above the left knee by a pull shot from Abid. Zimbabwe Cricket said in a statement at the close of play that Kaia had suffered bruising and his knee was swollen and tender.

He was unable to return to the field but will be assessed on Saturday morning. Pakistan gave a debut to 36-year-old seam bowler Tabish Khan, who replaced all-rounder Faheem Ashraf in the only change from the first Test. Zimbabwe also had a new cap in fast bowler Luke Jongwe, who replaced injured opening batsman Prince Masvaure