Pakistan strive hard to pull clear of Zimbabwe

Pakistan, 1-0 down in the series, were 111 for one after the extended first session but lost four quick wickets for 36 runs in the two hours play after lunch.

Saeed Anwar and Mohammad Naveed put on 69 runs for the opening stand before Naveed, who scored a century in a side game against Australia in October, was bowled by Heath Streak for 32. He took 127 minutes facing 90 balls and hit four fours.

Saeed played a delightful knock of 75 and looked set for another hundred before Neil Johnson dismissed him. Pakistan reached 100 in the 34th over and Zimbabwe captain Alistair Campbell dropped Ejaz Ahmed when he failed to hold a sharp edge off Heath Streak in the first slip. Ejaz was on nine. Medium-pacer Johnson then removed Ejaz and Saeed to put the brakes on Pakistan's progress at 139 for three.

Ejaz fell to a difficult catch off a mis-timed pull on a Johnson short-pitched delivery by Adam Huckle. Saeed edged a sharp incoming ball to 'keeper Andrew Flower. Saeed made 75 runs in 182 minutes, hitting 11 fours.

Salim Malik, playing his 100th Test, was run out after making two. ``I am disppointed on getting run out, I wanted to celebrate the occasion with a century,'' a dejected Malik said.

Pakistan were 147 for five at tea, losing teenager Hasan Raza to leg spinner Huckle for three.

Huckle turned the ball across the face of Hasan's bat and the edge was well taken at silly point by Gavin Rennie.

Yohanna batted with resolve and hit five fours during his stay. He and Moin have added 37 runs for the sixth wicket.

``We are looking for a lead of at least 100-150 runs and then to try to get them out cheaply,'' Pakistan captain Moin Khan said.

Off the field, the Pakistan team's physio Dan Kiesel resigned from his job, citing personal reasons. His exit came a day after captain Aamir Sohail pulled out from the Test after a row with a selector and coach Javed Miandad.