Tri-Series schedule

Pakistan suffered plenty of nervous moments before closing out a three-wicket victory over Zimbabwe in match two of the Paktel Cup in Peshawar.

Facing a weakened home side, Zimbabwe promptly racked up 252-4 before reducing the hosts to a worrying 89-4.

But Shoaib Malik (80) and Younis Khan (77) showed the necessary resolve to get their team a positive result.

For Zimbabwe, Tinashe Panyangara (3-24) bowled well after Brendan Taylor and Dion Ebrahim had hit half-centuries.

Inserted by the hosts' stand-in captain Yousuf Youhana, the tourists enjoyed three profitable stands.

Taylor and Stuart Matsikenyeri put on 87 for the first wicket before Taylor and Dion Ebrahim added 72.

Quotes: Woolmer eyes Younis for wicket-keeping role

Finally, Tatenda Taibu scored 46 not out off just 33 balls, while Ebrahim finished unbeaten on 71.

Between them, they smacked 91 runs off the last 62 balls of the match, with Naved-ul-Hasan coming in for some fearful stick as his 10 overs cost 82.

Yasir Hameed is removed early on by Tinashe Panyangara

For Pakistan, regular skipper Inzamam-ul-Haq (groin) and keeper Moin Khan (flu) were forced to miss the game while Shoaib Akhtar and all-rounder Abdul Razzaq were both rested.

If some inexperience had shown in their bowling, it was further exposed at the top of the order as Panyangara took the first three wickets inside nine overs.

Taibu seemed to try out too many bowlers as Malik and Younis crafted a vitally-important partnership of 114, however, and the balance of power swung firmly back in Pakistan's direction.

Mluleki Nkala eventually removed Malik, the specialist seamer bizarrely bowling as fifth change.

But Pakistan could afford to lose two more wickets, including the run-out of Younis with the scores level, and still coast home with 11 balls remaining.

Pakistan: Yousuf Youhana (captain), Shahid Afridi, Yasir Hameed, Bazid Khan, Salman Butt, Shoaib Malik, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq, Mohammad Sami, Naeed-ul-Hasan, Rao Iftikhar.