Friday, September 8 2006 11:19 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

London: Zaheer Khan scalps three lower order batsmen to prevent Leicestershire's tail from wagging and help Worcestershire gain a vital 72-run first innings lead on the second day of a four-day Division Two match here Thursday (7 Sep, 2006).

Zaheer picks up David Masters (8) and Nick Walker (0) in quick succession and then rounds it off with the wicket of Christopher Liddle (1) to restrict Leicester to 259 in the first innings at County Ground, New Road.

The Indian seamer is economical in his three-wicket effort, giving away 54 runs off 20.3 overs at an average of 2.63 runs per over.

Leicester's No 3 batsman H D Ackerman hits a fine 111 to give his side a good chance of reaching Worcester's first innings total of 331. But he falls short of partners to achieve his target.