Malcolm Waller (left) and Sikandar Raza, on Wednesday

Harare: Half centuries from middle-order batsmen Malcolm Waller and Sikandar Raza lifted Zimbabwe to 281 for seven and a 32-run lead over Pakistan on the second day of the first Test, here, on Wednesday.

Waller struck 70 off 100 balls with 14 fours and Raza made 60 off 118 with 10 fours at Harare Sports Club. At the close, Elton Chigumbura was on 40 with Shingi Masakadza on 2.

Waller, who got off the mark straightaway with a four from offspinner Saeed Ajmal early in the second session, kept the initiative and dominated both the pace and spin bowlers with ease.

Waller completed his third half-century in seven Tests with a four through the point region off part-time seamer Younis Khan and continued in the same vein even as debutant Raza slowly got into his groove.

They added 127 runs for the fourth wicket in taking the total to 195 when Waller edged to Mohammed Hafeez at slip driving a well-flighted delivery from Ajmal, who finished with four for 77.

Pakistan-born Raza was also claimed by Ajmal as he struck the ball straight to Misbah-ul-Haq at mid-wicket a little after Waller’s departure.