Pakistan finish strong after Sussex batsmen dominate proceeding

Visitors finish day two on score of 71 for one, stretching their lead to 143 in second innings

KARACHI: Wahab Riaz and Imran Khan salvaged some pride on day two of Pakistan’s second official tour match against Sussex as the visitors’ bowling unit, missing their star duo Mohammad Amir and Yasir Shah, was made to work hard as the home side declared their first innings at the score of 291 for the loss of five wickets.

At the end of second day’s play, the visitors stretched their second innings leads to 143 after managing to score 71 runs for the loss of veteran Mohammad Hafeez, who once again failed to capitalise on the good start and lost his wicket after scoring 23 runs on the bowling of Jofra Archer.

It was a day dominated by Sussex openers Harry Finch and Luke Wells, who put on a 212-run opening stand as Amir and Yasir were rested ahead of the first Test, which starts on July 14.

Both openers were removed by Wahab but the damage had been done by then. Finch top-scored with 103 off 140 balls with three sixes and 16 boundaries, while Wells produced a 153-ball 97 laced with 17 fours.

After a 212-run opening stand, Sussex lost their first two wickets for the addition of just 16 runs, and it got worse for them when Imran Khan’s double strike in the 49th over reduced them to 233-4.

Matt Machan (13) and Ben Brown (naught) were Imran’s twin victims.

Earlier, Pakistan had declared their innings at 363 for five after 99 overs, with Sarfaraz Ahmad unbeaten on 21 and Asad Shafiq batting on 13.

Azhar Ali had scored his second century of the tour as he starred with a 145-run knock laced with a six and 20 boundaries, while Misbahul Haq (68) and Younis Khan (59) chipped in with half-centuries.

Jofra Archer was the pick of the Sussex bowlers taking four wickets while Danny Briggs got a solitary scalp.

Before the start of the play, both teams observed a minute of silence on the passing away of Pakistan’s greatest social worker Abdul Sattar Edhi. The Pakistani players also wore black armbands to mourn the death of Edhi, who had dedicated his life to serving humanity.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 10^th, 2016.

Like Sports on Facebook, follow @ETribuneSports on Twitter to stay informed and join in the conversation.