Younis’ double helps Pakistan put Zimbabwe on the back foot

HARARE: Pakistan’s most accomplished batsman Younis Khan completed an unbeaten double century on Friday to turn the course of the first Test against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club.
At the close Zimbabwe, set 342 for victory when Pakistan declared their second innings closed at 419 for nine, were 13 for one after Tino Mawoyo was dismissed lbw for two by off-spinner Saeed Ajmal.
Younis brought up his 200 with a six during an unbeaten 88-run partnership for the final wicket with Rahat Ali, who struck a swashbuckling 35 from 40 deliveries.
He spent just over 10 hours at the crease, swinging the balance of the Test and effectively ending any hopes that Zimbambwe would chase an attainable target on the final day.
Instead, the home side faces a battle for survival on a deteriorating pitch.
Pakistan, who resumed on 168 for four, lost the wicket of Asad Shafiq (15) in the first over.
However, Younis and Adnan Akmal saw off some lively bowling to add 118 runs for the sixth wicket, which ended with a farcical run out when Adnan had reached 64.
Three wickets to off-spinner Propser Utseya reduced Pakistan to 331 for nine, raising the prospect of an exciting run chase for Zimbabwe, before Younis and Rahat Ali put the Test effectively beyond the home team’s reach.
Umar Akmal fit
Pakistan wicketkeeper-batsman Umar Akmal has been given the green light to resume playing after suffering a fit while on duty for Barbados in the Caribbean Premier League last month.
The 23-year-old had to drop out of the tour to Zimbabwe after being taken ill on a flight to Jamaica.
“The good news is that after extensive tests and examination by top neurologists ... Umar Akmal has been cleared to play again,” a Pakistan Cricket Board spokesman said on Friday.
The spokesman added that the fit was down to sleep deprivation and there was no restriction on physical activity or exertion plus no need for medication or any further medical checks.
“It was a one-off incident,” he said.
Akmal is now hoping to get back into the squad for next month’s series against South Africa in the United Arab Emirates.
He has played in 16 Tests for Pakistan, scoring 1,003 runs at an average of 35.82. He has also featured in 76 one-dayers and 45 Twenty20s for his country.
Abandoned
The first one-day international between England and Australia has been abandoned without a ball being bowled because of rain at Headingley on Friday.
Umpires Aleem Dar and Richard Illingworth called off the match at 1:35 p.m. local time, deciding it was too wet to play at any point in the day.

The teams will have to wait until Sunday to begin the series, although a gloomy weather report for the match in Manchester may further frustrate Michael Clarke’s and Eoin Morgan’s squads.
Further matches are scheduled for Birmingham, Cardiff and Southampton.