HARARE: Pakistan dominated the opening day of the first Test against Zimbabwe on the back of some destructive pace bowling by Hasan Ali and Shaheen Shah Afridi in Harare on Thursday.
Hasan finished with 4-53 while Afridi grabbed 4-43 as Zimbabwe — who won the toss and batted — were dismissed for a paltry 176 on a slow pitch at Harare Sports Club.
Abid Ali then replied with a solid unbeaten 56 while fellow opener Imran Butt made 43 not out as Pakistan closed the day on 103 without loss. Both Abid and Butt were cautious at the start, having failed miserably in Pakistan s 2-0 home series win over South Africa in February.
Abid took 13 deliveries to open his account but once he got underway with a pull for four off Richard Ngarava, he eased into his work striking nine further boundaries.
Butt, who had managed just 36 in his first four Test innings, was more circumspect as the pair offered no chances to Zimbabwe s inexperienced bowling attack.
