The unbroken 88-run partnership for third wicket between Brathwaite (56) and Deonaraine (52) helped West Indies A reach 131 for two when the umpires called for the end of the first session.
Deonaraine joined Brathwaite after the fall of captain Kirk Edwards (2) with the West Indies A struggling at 43 for two. While Brathwaite had so far faced 135 balls hitting nine boundaries, Deonaraine had consumed 80 balls, smashing seven boundaries and a six.
Edwards and Powell (14), who have been picked in their national side for the challenging India series next month, would have been eager to get some match practice but could not do so as they failed to put a price on their wickets.
Zaheer got his second wicket of the match by sending back Powell who gave a catch to Uday Kaul behind the wicket who gleefully accepted it.