Pathan takes seven

India lead by 34 runs at stumps on day one of the second Test against Zimbabwe.

Irfan Pathan took career best figures of 7-59 to dismiss the hosts for 161.

Gautam Gambhir then in reply scored an unbeaten 95 to enable India to reach 195 for 1 at the end of the day’s play.

Sourav Ganguly chose to bat first on a seaming pitch. Brendon Taylor lasted only three balls before he flat-footedly pushed at Pathan and was caught at slip by Rahul Dravid. Terry Duffin lasted only marginally longer, unable to resist an out-swinger, while captain Tatenda Taibu only lasted two deliveries.

Zaheer Khan by contrast was nowhere near his top form. It didn’t stop him from picking up Dion Ebrahim caught behind for 14.

Heath Streak and Hamilton Mazakadza added 44 in slow time to post a mini-fightback. Harbhajan Singh ended it when he got one to bounce and catch Streak’s blade for 15 just before lunch. Mazakadza followed quickly, becoming Pathan’s fourth victim, adjudged leg-before for 27.

Pathan continued his full-length to the lower-order batsmen, picking up Andy Blignaut, Blessing Mahwire and Keith Dabengwa to finish with his first seven-wicket haul in tests. Zimbabwe was dismissed in just 44.2 overs.

Virender Sehwag began briskly, making a run-a-ball 44 before Heath Streak had one rear off the pitch and found the batsman’s edge behind.

Rahul Dravid joined Gambhir with an unbroken 120 run stand. Gambhir cut anything wide and scored 17 boundaries in his total. Dravid provided the stable influence, finishing not out on 49.

Match Summary: Stumps, Day One

Zimbabwe 161 all out
Charles Coventry 37, Hamilton Mazakadza 27
Irfan Pathan 7-59, Harbhajan Singh 2-45

India 195 for 1
Gautam Gambhir 95no, Rahul Dravid 49no
Heath Streak 1-34