Mishra bags six as Zim draw tour opener

Zimbabwe's Andy Flower scored 94 while Indian Board President's XI leg-spinner Amit Mishra bagged six wickets for 94 runs as their three-day tour match ended in a tame draw on Sunday.

Mishra gave a fine exhibition of classical leg-spin bowling as the Zimbabwe first innings folded up for 340.

Off-spinner Sharandeep Singh did the early damage, as he did on Saturday, by having Flower caught in the slips for 89 before Mishra cleaned up the tail. Sharandeep finished with three wickets for 81 runs off 39 overs.

Having gained a 21-run lead, the Indian XI opened with first innings not out batsmen Abhijit Kale and Pravanjan Mullick who quickly set about demolishing the Zimbabwe attack with a 153-run opening stand.

Kale smashed 90 of 127 balls before being bowled by paceman Travis Friend.

The Indian XI were at 154 for one in their second innings when play was called off. Mullick remained undefeated on 62.

Zimbabwe are playing two Tests and a five-match one-day series against India. The first Test starts in the central city of Nagpur on Thursday.

Mail Cricket Editor