India lay foundation for big lead

Second Test, Harare, day one (close): Zimbabwe 161; India 195-1

Match scorecard

Pathan took the first three wickets en route to a career-best 7-59

Pace bowler Irfan Pathan produced the best figures of his Test career as India dominated the opening day against Zimbabwe in Harare.

Pathan took 7-59 as the home side were bowled out for 161 after being put in by India captain Sourav Ganguly.

And the tourists replied by reaching 195-1 at the close, with opener Gautam Gambhir just five short of a century.

Rahul Dravid ended the day on 49 not out as he and Gambhir shared an unbroken partnership of 120.

Having won the first Test by an innings and 90 runs, India were unchanged.

Zimbabwe, however, gave a debut to seam bowler Waddington Mwayenga, who sent down eight overs at a cost of 47 runs, but bounced back well after an expensive opening spell.

Former captain Heath Streak picked up the sole Indian wicket to fall, however, having Virender Sehwag caught behind for 44 with the total on 75.

Gambhir struck 17 fours in his innings but was in no rush to reach three figures and blocked out the final over with a view to completing what would be his second Test hundredon day two.

There were frantic comings and goings at the start of play after Pathan had Brendan Taylor caught by Dravid from the third ball of the match.

Gambhir rocks onto the back foot to collect a boundary

Zimbabwe lost three wickets in the space of eight balls as Pathan removed Terry Duffin and Tatenda Taibu and Zaheer Khan had Dion Ebrahim caught behind, leaving them on 31-4.

Hamilton Masakadza (27) and Streak (14) hung on together for 16 overs before off-spinner Harbhajan Singh dismissed Streak with the help of Gambhir's short leg catch.

Masakadza was lbw to Pathan and although Charles Coventry hit a six and four fours in his 37 off 32 balls, his innings was brought to an end by Harbhajan.

Pathan polished off the tail with the wickets of Andy Blignaut (13), Keith Dabengwa (18) and Blessing Mahwire.

There was time for Mwayenga to mark his debut with an unbeaten 14 from only seven deliveries, which included a big six off Harbhajan over long-on.

"The wicket was helpful for fast bowlers," said Pathan.

"But Zimbabwe did not play particularly bad shots. I got my wickets generally from good balls."