NEW DELHI, Feb 28: Andy Flower and Dion Ebrahim hit fighting half-centuries to lift Zimbabwe to 260 for six wickets on the opening day of the second and final Test against India Thursday.

The 21-year-old Ebrahim was unbeaten on a career-best 82 after left-hander Flower hit a sparkling 92 to rescue Zimbabwe from a disastrous start at the Ferozeshah Kotla ground.

The two shared in a 116-run fourth wicket partnership to shore up the Zimbabwe innings after they had been reduced to 11 for two in the morning after skipper Stuart Carlisle chose to bat on winning the toss.

Ebrahim, brought in to bolster the middle-order after the tourists lost the first Test in Nagpur by an innings and 101 runs, held firm despite Zimbabwe losing two quick wickets towards the close.

He first played the supporting role to Flower’s aggressive batting before taking over once his senior partner fell eight runs short of a 13th Test century at his favourite ground.

Flower, Zimbabwe’s most prolific Test batsman, set aside his recent poor form by smashing 15 fours and a six during his 164-ball knock before falling to a bat-pad catch to off-spinner Harbhajan Singh soon after tea.

He revived Zimbabwe after left-armer Zaheer Khan struck twice in the morning in seamer-friendly conditions after fellow seamer Javagal Srinath had dismissed Carlisle for a fourth ball duck in the first over.

Flower first added 54 runs with fellow left-hander Alistair Campbell (16) for the third wicket before joining Ebrahim to dominate leg-spinner Anil Kumble and Harbhajan on a barren first day pitch.

Ebrahim batted steadily to add 55 runs with Grant Flower (30) for the fifth wicket before Kumble ran out Flower with a direct hit and had Heath Streak (0) playing onto his stumps.

Trevor Gripper and Campbell fell to slip catches before Flower saw off the pace attack to help his side reach lunch at 74 for three.