NADEEM Malik claimed his best Championship figures for Worcestershire to spark a Leicestershire collapse.

The home side lost their last six wickets for 25 runs in 20 overs as they plunged from 200-4 to 225 all out in the Division Two clash at Grace Road.

Malik took 5-71 and then Zander de Bruyn hit his first Championship half-century for the visitors who closed the day on 158-4 to trail by 67 runs.

It was a disappointing batting performance by Leicestershire who had looked comfortably placed when Dinesh Mongia and Hylton Ackerman were together in the middle, sharing a fourth wicket partnership of 49.

But Ackerman received a virtually unplayable delivery from Chaminda Vaas that struck high on the bat.

But the collapse really began with the departure of Mongia shortly before lunch. The Indian left-hander had been playing beautifully, reaching his 50 off 71 balls with nine boundaries.

But having progressed to 66, he went for one big shot too many and bottom-edged into the stumps as he tried to pull a short-pitched delivery from Malik.

From that point, the home side's innings folded as Malik and left-arm spinner Ray Price cleaned up the tail, Price taking 3-29. Only John Sadler with 22 offered any real resistance.

But Worcestershire also made a poor start with Steve Davies and Graeme Hick both falling victim to Ottis Gibson with only 27 on the board.

Stephen Moore fell for a well-made 41 and Ben Smith stroked 45 before being caught and bowled by Darren Maddy.