Another day of hard slog for Zimbabwe's bowlers

PCB Patron's XI 353 for 5 v Zimbabweans
Scorecard

Edward Rainsford pounds in on a frustrating first day for the tourists © AFP

It was another day of frustration for Zimbabwe's bowlers as a PCB Patron's XI rattled up 353 for 5 at the close of the first day of the tour match at Lahore. On Tuesday, the Zimbabweans were flayed by a Chairman's XI, conceding 398 runs for two wickets. This is a four-day match, and tomorrow is likely to see the Patron's pile on the agony.

The day started promisingly when the Zimbabweans won the toss, and got better when Edward Rainsford removed Faisal Athar in the first half hour. But thereafter it was men against boys. Bazid Khan, son of Majid Khan, and Naumanullah both scored half-centuries, and former Test batsman Misbah-ul-Haq, the captain, made 130 before becoming Graeme Cremer's third wicket of the tour. Misbah cracked 12 fours and seven sixes in his innings.