FAISALABAD, Jan 30: A fine unbeaten century by Mohammad Yousuf and his superb third-wicket stand of 141 with captain Shoaib Malik steered Pakistan to a comfortable win over Zimbabwe by seven wickets in the fourth One-day International at Iqbal Stadium and give a 4-0 lead to the hosts in the five-game series.

Set to score 245 by the visiting side, Pakistan survived early loss of their young opening pair to romp home through a stylish knock from Yousuf who struck his career’s 14th ODI hundred as the home side crossed the victory mark with three overs to spare.

Once the openers Nasir Jamshed (11) and debutant Khalid Latif (19) departed at the total of 66, the Pakistan innings revolved around the bearded Yousuf and skipper Shoaib Malik as they put up a winning stand of 141 to quash any Zimbabwean hopes of forcing a victory here.

Nasir was caught by Brendon Taylor at short fine leg off Elton Chigumbura but debutant Khalid Latif (19) alongwith his captain then steadied the innings by adding 48 for the second wicket.

Khalid was caught at mid-wicket by Sean Williams off medium-pacer Christopher Mpofu while unnecessarily attempting to pull the bowler at deep mid-wicket area. TV replays showed the ball had kissed the ground before Sean Williams held the catch.

After Khalid’s departure, Malik and Yousuf joined hands to plunder runs at will against a rather mediocre bowling line-up. Showing complete command, both Yousuf and Malik, who was aggressive from the outset, took the total to 100 in the 23rd over and later posted his team’s 150 in 31.2 overs.

When Shoaib and Yousuf crossed the 200-run mark in the 40th over, it appeared that they will see Pakistan home without further loss. But Malik (88) was unfortunately run out at 207 as he looked well on course to complete his first ton of the series. Malik, attempting to take a risky single, was beaten by a fine throw from Chigumbura that helped wicket-keeper Tatenda Taibu to remove the bails in a flash. Malik slammed ten boundaries off his 98-ball knock. However, Yousuf continued to make hay with the bat and soon managed to score first century of the series with 10 fours and a six.

Later, Malik was declared man-of-the-match for his all-round show.

Earlier, Zimbabwe after winning the toss for the first time in the series, elected to bat first but the decision back fired as medium-pacer Kamran Hussain soon reduced them to 12-2, trapping both openers Vusi Sibanda and captain Hamilton Masakadza leg before in successive overs. Sean Williams (48) with Tatenda Taibu then stabilised the situation by putting on 85 for the third wicket.

Williams, who scored a superb 71 runs at Multan, batted beautifully as the total reached 97-2. But Pakistan skipper Malik rocked the opposition with three quick wickets as they were sent reeling at 5-132.

Malik first caught and bowled Williams and then had Taylor leg before for 7 with the total at 109-4. And when Pakistan’s skipper accounted for another well set Taibu (51, 76 balls four fours), taking a sharp return catch, Zimbabwe chances of pilng up a challenging score as good as disappeared.

It is to their credit, that the Zimbabwe tail wagged to gather another 112 runs to reach 244 in 50 overs, thanks to Keith Dabengwa’s useful 45 runs off just 32 balls. He hit three fours and two sixes, both in Malik’s final over of the innings.

Pakistan gave ODI caps to opener Khalid Latif and medium-pacer Sohail Khan while young keeper Sarfraz Ahmad and Fawad Alam were also included in the side.

Zimbabwe left out injured medium-pacer Tawanda Mupariwa to include Christopher Mpofu.

A packed to capacity crowd witnessed the match at the Iqbal Stadium and cheered both the teams.

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