Pakistan enjoyed an encouraging tour match at the Optus stadium with two batsmen – Babar Azam and Asad Shafiq – scoring centuries in the first innings, before Imran Khan ran through the Australian top-order to finish with figures of five for 32 .
Having secured a lead of 313 at the end of Day 2, Pakistan batted 40.5 overs before declaring at 152 for three to set Australia A an impossible target of 459 with only 35 overs remaining in match. Iftikhar Ahmed and Shan Masood shone with the bat in the second essay, sharing an 134-run partnership with both notching half-centuries.
Iftikhar Ahmed top-scored in the second innings with an unbeaten knock of 79.
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16-year-old Naseem Shah who was given compassionate leave on the second day due to his mother’s passing back home, returned on the final evening to deliver a high quality spell with the pink ball. The pacer sent down eight overs and picked up the wicket of Marcus Harris with a sharp short delivery. All the hype surrounding the youngster seemed justified as he showed no nerves and bowled a fiery spell.
The hosts made 91 for two in the fourth innings before the match was declared a draw.
At the end of the first practice game, the signs are encouraging for the visitors following solid batting and bowling performances.
They’ll have one more dress rehearsal before the series begins with another practice game against Cricket Australia XI at Perth on November 15.
The two-match Test series kicks off at Brisbane on November 21.
Brief Scores:
Pakistanis 428 (Azam 157, Shafiq 119, Yasir 53, Richardson 3-79) and 152/ 3 dec (Ahmed 79*, Masood 65)
Australia A 122 (Bancroft 49, Khan 5-32) and 91 for 2 (Khawaja 37)