Mawoyo edges towards century‎ as Zimbabwe holds firm

Opener Tino Mawoyo batted through the first day as Zimbabwe enjoyed a strong start to their one-off Test against Pakistan in Bulawayo.

The 25-year-old, who made his debut against Bangladesh earlier this month in Zimbabwe's first game since their readmission to Test cricket, batted patiently for his maiden Test half-century and will resume on Friday 18 runs short of a century.

He received strong support from Vusi Sibanda, Tatenda Taibu and Craig Ervine as the hosts closed on 245 for four despite the efforts of Pakistan spinner Saeed Ajmal, who took three for 75.

The openeing 50 stand came up from the first ball of the 17th over, Sibanda outscoring his partner 35 to 11 at that stage, though Mawoyo's second boundary came from an edge wide of slip.

Sibanda edged Junaid Khan just short of Taufeeq Umar at slip but fell in the next over when he failed to pick Saeed Ajmal's doosra and was stumped by Adnan Akmal. His 45 came from 66 balls, with nine fours.

An ill-judged pull at Ajmal saw Hamilton Masakadza bowled for 11 and captain Brendan Taylor added only 10 before becoming the off-spinner's third victim, trapped leg before deep in his crease.

Mawoyo remained calm as the wickets fell, and reached his half-century from 161 balls, with five boundaries, as he and Taibu added 65 for the fourth wicket.

The wicketkeeper made 44 of those and was looking dangerous until he slashed rashly at Sohail Khan, Akmal's catch earning the paceman his first Test wicket.

Ervine showed great responsibility in making 38 not out from 80 balls as his stand with Mawoyo reached 69 by the close.

But the day belonged to his junior partner, who occupied 273 deliveries and found the boundary rope 10 times on his way to 82 not out.