BULAWAYO (Zimbabwe), Sept 13: Zimbabwe captain Tatenda Taibu struck a dogged 61 to guide his side to 265 for seven at the close of the first day’s play in the first Test against India on Tuesday.

Taibu, whose eighth Test fifty included five fours and a six in 143 balls, shared an unbroken stand of 55 for the eighth wicket with Keith Dabengwa (35 not out) after the home side had been reduced to 210 for seven.

Zimbabwe won the toss and chose to bat first, an innings of 56 on debut by opener Terrence Duffin taking them to 119 for two in the 42nd over.

Left-arm new-ball bowler Irfan Pathan returned for a second spell to trap Duffin leg before wicket before dismissing Dion Ebrahim for 24 in his next over.

Taibu and his experienced vice-captain Heath Streak, with 27, steadying the innings with a fifth-wicket partnership of 69 before leg-spinner Anil Kumble regained control for India with two wickets in successive overs.

Left-arm fast bowler Zaheer Khan ended the day with figures of three for 68 while Pathan took two for 50 and Kumble two for 71.

The Indian spinners bowled 57 of the 93 overs on a warm day in Bulawayo with the pitch already offering turn.

SCOREBOARD