Craig Ervine has hit a career-best unbeaten 151 for Zimbabwe to recover from a shaky start to reach 8-344 at stumps on Friday's opening day of the one-off Test against against Sri Lanka in Colombo.
Sri Lanka's spin spearhead Rangana Herath struck early, as Zimbabwe were reduced to 3-38 after winning the toss and electing to bat first at R Premadasa Stadium.
But left-handed Ervine, who hit his second Test hundred, compiled two half-century partnerships with Sikandar Raza (36) and Malcolm Waller (36) to lead the fightback for Zimbabwe, who beat Sri Lanka 3-2 in their recent one-day international series.
Left-arm spinner Herath finished as the most-successful bowler with 4-106 for Sri Lanka, who were playing the first match under new Test captain Dinesh Chandimal.
