Pakistan crash to 285 all out

Fast bowler Andy Blignaut took five wickets as Pakistan collapsed to 285 all out on the first day of the first Test against Zimbabwe on Saturday.

Blignaut sent down 20 accurate overs, moving the ball off the seam consistently to take five for 79 after Zimbabwe captain Alistair Campbell had put the visitors in on a damp pitch.

Only opener Taufeeq Umar, with 75 including eight fours and a six, and Yousuf Youhana with 63 seemed to retain their concentration as the last seven wickets went down for 68 runs. Pakistan were dismissed with what became the last ball of the day.

Despite the conditions, only one wicket fell in the first session, Salim Elahi falling for two in the fifth over. Pushing forward to a straightening delivery from Blignaut, he edged to Campbell at second slip.

After lunch Younis Khan, on 40, cut hard at a Blignaut delivery to be well held low down by Dion Ebrahim in the gully, ending a stand of 115 and two balls later Taufeeq Umar was brilliantly caught by first slip Andy Flower, who finished with his back to the wicket after flinging himself across to snap up an edged drive.

Izamam-ul-Haq and Youhana scored steadily as Pakistan rebuilt but, with the fourth-wicket partnership worth 92 and with tea imminent, Inzamam, on 39, played a lazy pull shot off fast bowler Henry Olonga and skied to substitute fielder Mark Vermeulen at mid-on.

Youhana went lbw an hour after tea, trying to sweep left-arm spinner Ray Price. Four overs later debutant Kamran Akmal, selected after wicketkeeper Rashid Latif withdrew with an injured neck, shouldered arms to Price and was bowled for a duck.

Medium pacer Guy Whittall had a driving Saqlain Mushtaq caught by Flower at first slip before Blignaut, armed with the new ball, trapped Waqar Younis in front.

Blignaut took his fifth wicket in his next over when Shoaib Akhtar's slashed drive was caught by Grant Flower at third slip.

The day's play ended a ball early when debutant medium pacer Blessing Mahwire had Hasan Raza caught by Campbell at second slip for a patient 46.

Mail Cricket Editor