BULAWAYO — Blessing Muzarabani produced a scintillating performance on Thursday, becoming the first Zimbabwean pace bowler to claim seven wickets in a Test innings as Ireland crumbled to 31-5 before recovering to post 260 on Day 1 at Queens Sports Club.
By stumps, Zimbabwe reached 72-1 in reply, trailing by 188 runs, with debutant Nick Welch unbeaten on 33.
Muzarabani’s fiery opening spell dismantled Ireland’s top order, finishing with 7-58 in 18 overs. Andy McBrine’s unbeaten 90 and Mark Adair’s 78 salvaged the innings after an early collapse.
Zimbabwe handed the captaincy to debutant Johnathan Campbell following Craig Ervine’s withdrawal, while Welch and Nyasha Mayavo also made their Test debuts. Welch joined Kaitano and played impressively on his Test debut, striking some fine boundaries.
At stumps, Welch remained unbeaten on 33, while Kaitano, more cautious, had 26, setting up an intriguing second day.
