In-form Pakistan batsman Mohammad Hafeez had two lucky escapes on his way to his third test century on Saturday on the third day of the one-off test with Zimbabwe.

Hafeez’s luck ran out though two balls from the lunch interval when on 119 he spooned the ball to Gregory Lamb off medium pacer Hamilton Masakadza.

However, he and the more sedate Azhar Ali, who was 65 not out, had taken Pakistan on to a comfortable 196-2 at the break in reply,  217 runs adrift of the hosts respectable 412 all out in their first  innings.

Hafeez’s 119 included a six and 17 fours and saw him pass the landmark of 1000 runs.

Hafeez rode his luck throughout the innings as in his opening over of the day Chris Mpofu dropped a straightforward caught and bowled chance. He and Ali were also stranded at one end of the wicket but a fielding fumble let them off.

Zimbabwe captain Brendan Taylor persisted with seamers through most of the morning, Mpofu bowling ten straight overs but finally opted for a change of tactics when he brought on medium pacer Masakadza and it duly paid off with Hafeez’s rush of blood to the head.