Pakistani batsmen impress as Azhar scores century

Team performs against Somerset with both bat and ball to send strong message to England

KARACHI: Pakistan have gone on their tour of England banking on their seamers to deliver in friendly conditions, but the batsmen showed they can hold their own as well, with Azhar Ali scoring a century in Pakistani’s second-innings in their tour match against Somerset at Taunton.

Azhar was ably supported by Asad Shafiq, who scored an unbeaten 69, as Pakistan declared on 236-4 to give their bowlers some more practice on the third and final day of the practice match. Needing 468 runs to win with a maximum of 73 overs remaining, the match was already out of Somerset’s reach by then.

Shafiq had played a similarly impressive support role in the first innings when he scored 80 and veteran Younus Khan made 104.



Shan Masood also chipped in with a resolute 62 in the first innings, and selector Tauseef Ahmad feels the batsmen have gained some invaluable confidence going into the Test series with England.

“Pakistan’s bowling was expected to do well in English conditions but the batting against Somerset has shown the team is up for the challenge,” Tauseef told The Express Tribune.

The Men in Green come up against a formidable bowling attack that boasts world number one James Anderson and world number three Stuart Broad, but Tauseef feels Pakistan are getting accustomed to English conditions.



“The decision to go early is paying off because the players are comfortable in English conditions now and those who are saying that quality of county cricket is different are just downplaying Pakistan’s performance,” he added. “Players in counties are true professionals who are champions in their own conditions. So the overall performance in batting and bowling has been heartening.”

Tauseef added that it is important that Pakistan’s batting clicks in the series against England because the bowling is capable of troubling the opponents if there is a decent total on the board.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 6^th, 2016.

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