(BULAWAYO) Zimbabwe's hopes of avoiding comprehensive defeat to Pakistan were all but dashed by Saqlain Mushtaq as they were dismissed for just 178 on the first day of the 2nd Test.

The off-spinner collected seven wickets while Shoaib Akhtar claimed two more as Pakistan, who won a competitive first encounter, moved into a strong position.

The tourists then made 29 without loss in the 14 overs before close of play.

Zimbabwe captain Alistair Campbell won the toss but he was made to pay for opting to bat first as his side was taken apart by Saqlain.

Perhaps the off-spinner's most important contribution was to end the 86-run partnership of Grant Flower (54) and Campbell (46).

The duo had helped Zimbabwe recover from a double early setback after they lost both openers - Dion Ebrahim and debutant Mark Vermeulen - in the first five overs.

Saqlain then claimed four wickets in the final session with Shoaib taking that of Andy Flower.

Before Saqlain's spin proved so effective it was the pace of Shoaib and Waqar Younis that was initially Zimbabwe's undoing.

Vermeulen was the first to go in the second over when he was trapped lbw by Shoaib, who was punished for ball-tampering in the 1st Test.

Vermeulen went forward to an inswinging ball, but he misjudged the line and was struck in front of the stumps for two.

Ebrahim was not far behind in following his opening partner back to the pavilion with Waqar Younis taking his scalp.

The Pakistan captain dismissed Ebrahim for five, trapping the Zimbabwe right-hander in identical circumstances to Vermeulen.

But Campbell and Flower steadied the innings, adding 44 runs before lunch and cutting loose after the interval.

Flower was given a let-off when he was dropped by Hasan Raza off Saqlain when on 33.

However, Saqlain did get a wicket four overs later.

He ended Campbell's 93-ball knock, which included five fours, with wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal taking the edge.

After that, Pakistan stepped up their attempts to remove Flower.

While Shoaib softened him up at one end - one delivery registering 99.4 miles per hour - Saqlain's guile paid dividends at the other.

Flower was eventually out when struck on the pads after missing an attempted sweep, going for 54 from 140 balls.

Saqlain made Hamilton Masakadza his third victim, the Zimbabwean failing to score as Akmal again played the supporting role.

Saqlain then mopped up with Tatenda Taibu (15), Andy Blignaut (0), Raymond Price (1) and Henry Olonga (8) all falling under his spell.

Andy Flower was Shoaib's victim, caught by Inzamam-ul-Haq for 30.

In the closing stages of the day's play, Taufeeq Umar and Saleem Elahi made a cautious start to the Pakistan reply.

16 Nov, 2002