/ 13 September 2005

Zim survive opening session against India

Zimbabwe’s young batsmen defied India in the first session of the first Test at Queens Sports Club in Bulawayo on Tuesday, making 75 for two.

Brendan Taylor went for 13 and Hamilton Mazakadsa for 14, both victims of Zaheer Khan, who bowled with venom and pace. He ended the session with 2-26.

Zimbabwe opened with Taylor and Terry Diffin and they hung on fairly comfortably against the Pathan-Khan attack through 16 overs and 80 minutes.

They had some luck, and one or two marginal umpiring decisions went their way.

Duffin, 26 not out on his Test debut, and Dion Ebrahim, who took 169 runs off the Indians at Mutrare last week, resume the second session.

Kumble and Harbhajan were not able to achieve a further breakthrough.

India left out Mohammad Kaif after scoring a one-day century for Saurav Ganguly’s record 48th Test as captain. — Sapa-AFP