Zimbabwe collapses on 'cracked' pitch in second Test against Pak despite solid start

Zimbabwe had suffered a collapse on the first day of the second Test against Pakistan at Harare Sports Club on Tuesday despite a solid start to the day with a shared century partnership between Hamilton Masakadza and Brendan Taylor.

Although Masakadza (75) and Taylor (51) put on 110 for the third wicket, Zimbabwe was 237 for eight at the close of play as the rest of the batting collapsed on a pitch, which had cracks that caused several deliveries to keep low.

According to Sport24, Masakadza and Taylor came together after Zimbabwe lost their first two wickets for 31 runs, adding that Masakadza was dismissed when caught at slip off a Saeed Ajmal 'doosra' delivery, which was the first of six wickets that fell for 94 runs before the close of play.

The report said that Masakadza, who captained the team in the first Test when Taylor withdrew because of the birth of his first child, batted solidly as he reached a half-century off 98 balls, taking advantage of any loose deliveries to hit eight fours and a six.

Meanwhile, the report added that Pakistani bowler Junaid Khan was took three wickets for 55, while his fellow left-arm opening bowler Rahat Ali took two for 48 and left-arm spinner Abdur Rehman two for 37.