Pakistan captain Misbah-ul Haq stood firm as his side lost five wickets chasing victory on the fourth day of the second Test against Zimbabwe at the Harare Sports Club on Friday.
Set 264 to win, Pakistan were 158/5 at the close of play, setting up a tense last day with Zimbabwe having a realistic chance of sharing the series and earning a rare victory against one of cricket’s major nations.
Misbah was unbeaten on 26 and will resume batting on Saturday with wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal (17 not out), with Pakistan needing another 106 runs to win.
Pakistan made an aggressive start to the chase after bowling out Zimbabwe for 199, breaking a trend of slow scoring on a wearing, cracked pitch. But they were forced to become more cautious as the Zimbabwe bowlers struck at regular intervals.
First-change bowler Tendai Chatara made a crucial breakthrough when he dismissed Mohammad Hafeez and Azhar Ali in quick succession to reduce Pakistan to 46/2 in the 12th over.
Earlier, left-arm opening bowler Rahat Ali took 5/52 as Zimbabwe were bowled out after adding only 78 runs to their overnight 121/4.
Scores: Zimbabwe 294 and 199 (o/n 121/4) (Mawoyo 58, Masakadza 44; Ali 5/52, Rehman 2/40, Ajmal 2/56) vs Pakistan 230 and 158/5 (Manzoor 54, Younish 29, Misbah batting 26; Chatara 2/29)