Dion Ebrahim's ninth Test half-century failed to stop Sri Lanka gaining the advantage on the first day of the second Test against Zimbabwe in Bulawayo on Friday.

The home side, who had been asked to bat after losing the first Test by an innings and 240 runs within three days, were dismissed for 228. Sri Lanka were 18 for no wicket at the close.

Ebrahim was seventh out for 70, which he scored in more than 3-1/2 hours at the crease from 172 balls with 12 fours.

He featured in partnerships of 51 for the third wicket with Stuart Matsikenyeri (45) and 52 for the fourth with Tatenda Taibu (27).

Ebrahim held the innings together by showing application from his team mates.

Left-arm pace bowler Chaminda Vaas took three for 41, and drew first blood when he had Brendan Taylor caught behind for five by wicketkeeper Prasanna Jayawardene.

In his next over, Vaas induced a sweetly struck but uppish drive from Mark Vermeulen which was smartly caught at extra cover by Muttiah Muralitharan. Vermeulen, playing his first Test since fracturing his skull on Zimbabwe's tour to Australia in February, was out without scoring.

Matsikenyeri and Ebrahim were separated in the third over before lunch when Matsikenyeri drove a ball from off spinner Muralitharan firmly to mid-on and was run out by Farveez Maharoof's throw,.

Taibu, who turned 21 on Friday, was out 13 overs after lunch when he drove at a delivery from medium pacer Maharoof to be caught by Thilan Samaraweera at short cover for 27.

Sri Lanka's domination of the first two sessions was assured when they removed Alester Maregwede and Elton Chigumbura in the space of 11 deliveries.

Jayasuriya ran Maregwede out for 24 with a throw from leg gully to bowler Muralitharan, and Chigumbura (0) edged Vaas to Mahela Jayawardene at second slip.

Zimbabwe were dismissed an hour after tea, a slide that began when Ebrahim attempted to cut a delivery from Maharoof and was caught by Tillakaratne Dilshan at first slip.

Muralitharan, who took two for 58 to extend his world record tally, did not bowl his controversial doosra delivery.

The International Cricket Council has ruled that the doosra, which turns away from right-handed batsmen, transgresses its regulations on throwing and the Sri Lankan cricket authorities have advised Muralitharan not to bowl it.

Zimbabwe, who lost the first Test by an innings and 240 runs, were again forced to select a weakened side after 15 experienced players made themselves unavailable in a dispute with the Zimbabwe Cricket Union.

Scoreboard:

Zimbabwe first innings:
S.Matsikenyeri run out 45
B.Taylor c P.Jayawardene b Vaas 5
M.Vermeulen c Muralitharan b Vaas 0
D.Ebrahim c Dilshan b Maharoof 70
T.Taibu c Samaraweera b Maharoof 27
A.Meregwede run out 24
E.Chigumbura c M.Jayawardene b Vaas 0
M.Nkala c Sangakarra b Muralitharan 19
T.Panyangara c Vaas b Zoysa 11
T.Mupariwa not out 1
D.Hondo b Muralitharan 11

Extras (lb-2 nb-10 w-3) 15

Total (all out, 75 overs) 228

Fall of wickets: 1-24, 2-31, 3-82, 4-134, 5-176, 6-176, 7-193, 8-211, 9-216.

Bowling: Vaas 19-8-41-3 (nb-1 w-2), Zoysa 14-0-50-1 (nb-1 w-1), Maharoof 16-2-62-2 (nb-8), Muralitharan 22-3-58-2, Jayasuriya 4-0-15-0

Sri Lanka first innings:
M.Atapattu not out 7
S.Jayasuriya not out 11

Extras 0

Total (for no wicket 13 overs) 18

To bat: K.Sangakkara, M.Jayawardene, T.Dilshan, T. Samaraweera, P.Jayawardene, C.Vaas, N.Zoysa, M.Muralitharan, F. Maharoof.

Bowling: Hondo 7-2-11-0, Panyangara 6-3-7-0.