PACEMAN Kabir Ali grabbed five wickets to help Worcestershire clinch an exciting tie in their four-day friendly against Zimbabwe at New Road.

Facing a victory target of 176, the tourists were bowled out for 175 with Kabir claiming 5-48.

He grabbed two of his wickets in the last three balls including skipper Heath Streak who looked as if he had done enough to steer his side to a hard-earned win.

He was ninth out with the scores level and two deliveries later Kabir accounted for Doug Hondo for a 'duck'.

"He's proved his skill again and come in for those two wickets at the end," said County skipper Ben Smith.

He added: "We had them at 128-8 and we didn't quite bowl them out before the tied result. It was a good day and we were blessed with the weather because it held off. We fought back well.

"We bowled well all game and we have bowled it in good areas. It's a shame as fielders we didn't back it up with our catches but our ground fielding was good."

Only a sparse crowd, however, watched the final day which ended in a tense climax just before tea.

The County made the Zimbabweans battle every inch of the way for their runs and at one stage they were sinking fast at 55-5.

Paceman Mark Harrity signalled his side's intentions by removing Mark Vermeulen in the fourth over before Kabir started to take a grip.

He dismissed Vermeulen's fellow opener Dion Ebrahim for 0 and then stepped up the pressure by ripping out Stuart Carlisle and Barney Rogers in successive deliveries.

Carlisle, who piled up 157 in his first innings, was far less productive second time around with 23.

Tatenda Taibu, who played for Worcester Cricket Club last season and acted as 12th man for the County on occasions, fell to debutant Andrew Hall for eight and the tourists looked to be heading for an embarrassing total.

Grant Flower and Andy Blignaut, however, improved their flagging fortunes with a stand worth 64 in 16 overs.

It ended when Blignaut, who was dropped by Kadeer Ali at mid-off off paceman Matt Mason before opening his account, hit a top score of 42 at a run-a-ball. He clouted eight fours before finally departing to Gareth Batty's fourth delivery.

The spinner quickly followed up to remove Travis Friend - a dismissal which heralded the arrival of Streak who had hardly played any part in the game because of a back problem.

With Taibu as his runner, he made 37 before Kabir stepped in to ensure a dramatic finish.