BULAWAYO: Opener Hamilton Masakadza struck an unbeaten century as Zimbabwe reached 169 for four at the close on a rain-curtailed first day of the second Test against West Indies at the Queens Sports Club on Sunday.

After Zimbabwe won the toss and elected to bat, Masakadza reached 101 not out from 171 balls with nine fours and two sixes. He will resume on Monday with Sikandar Raza (9).

Masakadza watched from the opposite end as Zim­babwe slipped into early trouble when they limped to 14 for three as West Indies seamer Kemar Roach (2-24) made early inroads for the visitors, including the big wicket of Brendan Taylor (1).

But Masakadza, who scored his fifth Test century, put on 142 for the fourth wicket with Peter Moor (52) before the latter was bowled by Roston Chase (one for 26).

The players left the field at the end of the 61st over and persistent rain kept them off for the remainder of the day.

Published in Dawn, October 30th, 2017