Zimbabwe bowling rattles UAE in first ODI

Zimbabwe produced and mind-bending bowling display as they beat the United Arab Emirates by seven wickets in the first ODI at Harare Sports Club on Wednesday.

Zimbabwe won the toss and took advantage of rain from the previous night to make headway into the UAE innings early on.

Ashfaq Ahmed only made 2 after an impressive century in the first match trapped leg before by Kyle Jarvis, the first of two wickets in a frugal bowling display.

Wickets fell regularly and soon UAE were 42-6, Donald Tiripano and player of the match Tendai Chatara chief among the architects.

Mohammad Boota put on a stubborn resistance, getting to 36 before he was bowled beautifully by Brandon Mavuta.

And it was Mavuta who was the most expensive returning 2-30 from six overs returning an economy rate of 5.0. None of the other bowlers registered economies over 2.5.

UAE were bowled out for 110 in 44.5 overs. Chatara took 3-25 from 10 overs. Jarvis was frugal with 2-11 and Tiripano 2-18.

A piece of history was made as wicketkeeper Regis Chakabva became the first Zimbabwe player since And Flower to complete five catches in an innings.

Zimbabwe played with care as they chased down a low score.

Solomon Mire was partnered by Regis Chakabva in the absence of captain Hamilton Masakadza Mire was the first to go, for 11, trapped leg before by Qadeer Ahmed.

An 80-run partnership followed between Craig Ervine and Chakabva. The latter would go for 38 bowled by Imran Haider attempting a scoop. By then Ervine had picked up his 13th ODI half century but would go next for 51 off the returning Rohan Mustafa.

But Zimbabwe closed off the match in 23.1 overs ending their innings on 111/3.

The next match is on at Harare Sports Club on Friday, with the final two penciled in for Sunday and Tuesday.