AFP, Harare :
Part-time seamer Hamilton Masakadza picked up two wickets as Zimbabwe made inroads into the Sri Lankan line-up on the first morning of the second and final Test at Harare Sports Club on Sunday.
After winning the toss and electing to bowl on a pitch boasting a green tinge, Zimbabwe were beset by early injuries and poor bowling until Masakadza picked up two unexpected wickets.
With Chris Mpofu going on to remove Kaushal Silva for 37, Sri Lanka went to lunch on 105 for three.
Zimbabwe’s search for wickets at the top of the innings was hampered by fast bowler Carl Mumba limping off after the first over, and when Sri Lanka’s openers preyed on some inconsistent bowling to advance to 62 for one it appeared as though the hosts faced a trying day in the field.
But Masakadza was introduced at the end of the first hour, and struck shortly after the drinks break when Dimuth Karunaratne guided one straight to gully to depart for 26.
Kusal Perera’s decision to attack Masakadza from the get-go then backfired when he holed out to long-on in the seamer’s next over, and Zimbabwe were boosted when Mumba was fit enough to return to the field soon after.
However, it was Mpofu who struck next, trapping Silva lbw. The Decision Review System was in place for the first time in Zimbabwe, but Silva took too long to request a review and so he was forced to leave the field.
