Whitewashed: President’s XI make it two in two against Pakistanis

Michael Pollard scores 153 to guide hosts to one-wicket win

KARACHI: Pakistan warmed up for the New Zealand series by being whitewashed as they succumbed to their second successive defeat in the warm-up matches against New Zealand Board President’s XI. Michael Pollard guided his team to a one-wicket win with a century at the Bert Sutcliffe Oval in Lincoln, New Zealand.

Set a target of 268, President’s XI were rocked upfront by Pakistani pacers as Henry Nicholls was removed for one by Bilawal Bhatti and Tim Seifert for seven by Muhammad Irfan.

Despite his side being reduced to 12-2, Pollard continued to play his shots and took the attack to the opposition.



Shawn Hicks got the innings back on track along with Pollard after being 59-4 as the duo put on an 85-run stand for the fifth wicket. Bhatti provided the breakthrough by removing Hicks, who made a slow 29 off 58 balls.

Skipper Todd Astle arrived with his team 144-5 and made a 29-run cameo before becoming Bhatti’s third victim.

After Bhatti, it was Irfan’s turn to make inroads as he dismissed Pollard, who had smashed three sixes and 16 boundaries in his 132-ball 153 to put his side on the brink of victory at 244-7.

Tim Johnston was then bowled by Sohail and Irfan followed by cleaning up Logan van Beek, leaving the hosts with a jittery finish at 261-9, still needing seven runs. But the last pair took President’s XI over the line with just a ball to spare as they ended up with 269-9 in 49.5 overs.

Irfan and Bhatti picked up three wickets, conceding 39 and 42 runs, while Sohail leaked 81 runs in 9.5 overs but claimed two scalps.

Earlier, Pakistan – who had rested Ahmed Shahzad, Shahid Afridi and Wahab Riaz – opted to bat first after winning the toss, while Ehsan Adil took to the field for the opposing side.

Pakistan never got going as makeshift opener Sarfraz Ahmed and Younus Khan were sent back early for naught and seven respectively. Muhammad Hafeez followed them back quickly after making 18 off 26 balls. Haris Sohail was then dismissed for six to leave Pakistanis at 53-4.

Sohaib Maqsood scored a fluent 25 but was soon dismissed to make it 79-5. Skipper Misbahul Haq and Umar Akmal once again bailed the team out of embarrassment as both notched up half-centuries, with Pakistan ending up on a respectable 267-7 in their 50 overs. Misbah remained unbeaten on 88 off 89 balls with a six and 11 boundaries, while Umar made 77.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 28^th,  2015.

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