Pakistan was in complete control of the first test against Zimbabwe on day two despite a first golden duck in five-day cricket by captain and batting star Babar Azam on Friday.
Pakistan reached stumps on 374-6 at Harare Sports Club for a lead of 198 with four wickets in hand. Zimbabwe was bowled out for 176 on day one.
Pakistan openers Imran Butt (91) and Abid Ali (60) made half-centuries and Fawad Alam was 108 not out — his third century in four tests — to further grind down Zimbabwe and make up for Babar's rare failure.
Butt and Abid Ali shared a 115-run opening stand, although their partnership didn't go very far on the second day. Continuing on 103-0 from the first day, Butt and Abid Ali put on just 12 runs in 14.2 desperately slow overs before Abid Ali edged to slip.
Pakistan reached 176-1 but Azhar Ali, Babar and Butt then all fell in fairly quick succession to make it 226-4.
There was a chance the tourists might squander their advantage, but Fawad made sure that didn't happen, hitting 16 fours and staying unbeaten at the close.
{{/usCountry}}There was a chance the tourists might squander their advantage, but Fawad made sure that didn't happen, hitting 16 fours and staying unbeaten at the close.
{{/usCountry}}He put on 107 with Mohammad Rizwan (45), and had an unbroken 40-run stand with Hasan Ali (21 not out) at stumps.
Donald Tiripano took 3-89 for Zimbabwe, including the wicket of Babar first ball. Babar drove it straight to Roy Kaia at short mid-on to briefly lift Zimbabwe and register his first golden duck in his 58th test innings.