West Indies v Zimbabwe
Day 5 of 1st Test
Venue: Queens Sports Club, Bulawayo
Result: Match drawn
Scorecard: http://bit.ly/zimvwiscorecard
West Indies spinners Gudakesh Motie and Roston Chase bowled splendidly as they tried to force a dramatic finish, but the visitors met resistance from the Zimbabwe batting and had to settle for a draw on Wednesday.
Motie bagged a career-best 4-50 from 24 overs and Chase ended with 2-9 from 12 overs to apply pressure on the home team after they were set 272 to win in a minimum of 49 overs on the final day.
West Indies were, however, frustrated in their attempt to grab the win when debutant wicketkeeper Tafadzwa Tsiga, not out on 24, remained unflappable for two hours and the hosts reached 134-6 when time expired.
The result meant the two-match series is level. The second Test starts on Sunday at the same venue.
“After losing a whole day, I think it was a commendable effort from us to get close to a victory, so well done to us,” West Indies captain Kraigg Brathwaite said after play. “But also Zimbabwe batted very well. I think overall, I’m pleased with the team effort.”
Left-arm spinner Motie gave West Indies an early breakthrough when he had opener Tanunurwa Makoni caught behind by keeper Joshua Da Silva for nine, but Innocent Kaia and Chamu Chibhabha added 47 for the second wicket to ease the early tension.
Motie engineered a period of instability when he got Kaia caught at mid-wicket for 24 and Zimbabwe captain Craig Ervine caught behind for 17, and Chase got Chibhabha caught at slip for the top score of 31 in between, as Zimbabwe sunk from the comfort of 83-2 to 83-4.
Earlier, West Indies continued from 21 without loss overnight and tried to score quickly to hasten a declaration, which came on 203 for five after lunch with Raymon Reifer leading the way with 58 and Jermaine Blackwood supporting with 57.