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DONALD Tiripano attempted to give Zimbabwe A the edge with two early wickets, but Afghanistan A quickly recovered to finish the first day of their opening four-day cricket match on 277 for four wickets off 90 overs. Rahmat Shah and Nasir Jamal were both unbeaten on 99 and 92 respectively at stumps, giving Afghanistan A firm control of the match at the Greater Noida Sports Complex Ground outside the Indian capital of New Delhi yesterday.

Afghanistan A won the toss and elected to bat, and they were quickly pegged back when Tiripano clean-bowled Imran Janat for 17 runs in the ninth over, with only a total of 31 runs on the board.

Prince Masvaure piled more pressure when he trapped Javed Ahmadi (32) leg before wicket to leave the Afghans wobbling at 66 for two.

Things seemed to get worse for Afghanistan A when they lost their third wicket without adding a run after Tiripano struck again, trapping Shabir Noori leg before for 12 runs.

When Khaiber Omar was caught by skipper Tinotenda Mutombodzi off Natsai Mushangwe’s delivery in the 37th over, the Afghans were limping on 84 for four and Zimbabwe A appeared to have seized the early initiative.

However, Shah and Jamal refused to be bullied and put on an unbeaten stand of 193 for a commanding first innings total.

Zimbabwe A will have their work cut out when action resumes on the second day today. – ZC