Dion Ebrahim's fighting century bailed out Zimbabwe Board XI after a poor start against the visiting Indians before ending the day on 265 for the loss of seven wickets.

The middle order batsman staked his claim for a berth in the opening Test with a battling 159 after they were reduced to 91 for six in the warm-up tie at the Mutare Sports Club ground in Mutare on Thursday.

Ebrahim, who was ignored for the Test series against New Zealand [Images] because of a string of poor scores, made 159, facing 251 balls and hitting 28 boundaries and a six.

The diminutive batsman walked in at 16 for 2 and bailed the hosts out of a tight spot with a 94-run sixth wicket stand with Sean Williams, who scored only 10.

Later he had an entertaining unbeaten 80-run stand with Keith Dabengwa, who finished the day scoring an unbeaten 40.

The match had serious overtones both for the hosts and the Indian side even though there was a bit of tomfoolery as 12 players represented the Indians and 13 were accepted from the Zimbabwean side.

It effectively ruled it out as a first class game and remained just a warm-up tie for the two sides.

Zimbabwe Board XI top order failed to put up a good partnership, losing quick wickets and were struggling at 71 for 5 at one stage.

The Indian medium pacers were frustrated by the slowness of the track and Zaheer Khan [Images], who joined the team for the Test matches, came in for some harsh treatment, giving away 107 runs in 20 overs but picked two top order wickets.

He along with Laxmipathy Balaji got the bulk of the day's overs, as did Anil Kumble [Images], who was the pick of the bowlers claiming three wickets.

Ebrahim played a composed innings but cut loose for once in the afternoon when he struck Zaheer for five fours in two overs.

The introduction of the second new ball only hastened the scoring as fours and sixes were hit with gay abandon.

Zimbabwe coach Kevin Curran, who watched the proceedings from the sidelines, gave a thumbs up to Ebrahim and said an in-form batsman will be always be in reckoning for a berth in the Test eleven.