Not a single ball was bowled on Wednesday in the Zimbabwean capital meaning Pakistan's bowlers were denied the chance to build their confidence ahead of Saturday's first Test.

On Tuesday, the touring team's batsman had continued to gain valuable match practice before a declaring midway through the second day.

The bowlers then took five wickets before bad light stopped play. and the weather just got worse overnight.

Previously, Hasan Raza with an unbeaten 64, Shahid Afridi (49) and Kamral Akmal (43 not out) all had productive stays at the crease.

That was in addition to 80s hit by Younis Khan and Taufeeq Umar on Monday.

With Waqar Younis rested, Shoaib Akhtar and Mohammad Sami led the Pakistan attack but they found some resistance from their opponents.

Three of Zimbabwe A's players with Test experience led the way with Mark Vermeulen (43), Gavin Rennie (48) and skipper Guy Whittall (67 not out) all playing significant knocks.

Akthar had a fruitless day but youngster Sami blitzed through the middle order late on, narrowly missing out on a hat-trick.

Pakistan innings
Saleem Elahi c Vermuelen b Manhire 49
Taufeeq Umar c T. Taibu b R. Sims 86
Younis Khan c M. Nkala b C. Macmillan 84
Inzamam-ul-Haq b B. Mahwire 63
Yousuf Youhana run out (B. Mahwire) 1
Hasan Raza not out 64
Shahid Afridi c Rennie b Macmillan 49
Kamral Akmal not out 43
Extras (1b, 2lb, 13nb, 1w) 17
Total (for 6 wkts declared) 456

Fall of wickets: 1-127, 2-161, 3-272, 4-273, 5-312, 6-396

Did not bat: Shoab Akhtar, Mohammad Sami, Mohammad Zahir.

Bowling: Mluleki Mkala 15-8-34-0; Campbell Macmillan 24-5-134-2; Blessing Mahwire 22-5-74-2; Sean Ervine 22-1-134-0; Guy Whittall 4-2-2-0; Richard Sims 15-3-75-1.

Zimbabwe 'A'
Dion Ebrahim lbw b S. Afridi 14
Mark Vermeulin c Y. Khan b M. Zahid 43
Gavin Rennie c Y. Khan b M. Sami 48
Guy Whittall not out 67
S. Matsikenyeri b M. Sami 0
Tatenda Taibu c K. Akmal b M. Sami 6
Sean Ervine not out 1
Extras (8b, 8lb, 5nb) 21
Total (for 5 wkts) 200

Fall of wickets: 1-54, 2-72, 3-171, 4-171, 5-183

Did not bat: Mluleki Nkala, Richard Sims, Campbell Macmillan, Gavin Ewing.

Bowling: S. Akhtar 12-5-19-0; M. Zahid 9.2-2-36-1; S. Afridi 1-4-73-1; M. Sami 14-4-39-3; Y. Khan 7-2-17-0.