Tour match: Amir lights up day one with three quick wickets
Cricket Australia XI end day on 3-4 in reply to Pakistan’s 208
James Peirson of Australia XI is dismissed by Mohammad Amir of Pakistan during the tour match between Cricket Australia XI and Pakistan at Cazaly's Stadium on December 8, 2016 in Cairns, Australia. PHOTO COURTESY: CRICKET AUSTRALIA
KARACHI:
In just two overs yesterday, Mohammad Amir showed what he is capable of.
The left-arm fast-bowler ran through the Australian top-order with three quick wickets to put Pakistan ahead on the opening day of their three-day tour match against Cricket Australia (CA) XI at the Cazaly’s Stadium in Cairns, Australia.
Amir dismissed opener Jimmy Peirson and captain William Bosisto off the first and second deliveries of the innings. He then castled Jake Winter in the next over to leave CA XI reeling at 3-4 at stumps in three overs. In between those two overs, Rahat Ali claimed the other wicket when he dismissed opener Jake Carder for naught.
Pakistan’s batsmen had also struggled earlier in the day, and are yet to convince Down Under after also failing against New Zealand in their 2-0 whitewash.
After electing to bat first, Pakistan were bundled out for 208 runs in 84.5 overs with the seasoned Younus Khan top-scoring 54 off 138 balls — the only half-century of day in which 14 wickets fell.
Tough challenge ahead for Pakistan: Salim Jaffar
Former Test cricketer Saleem Jaffar welcomed the positive start from the Pakistan pacers, saying the visitors will be relying heavily on fast-bowling during the ongoing tour where Pakistan play three Tests and five ODIs against Australia.
“It’s a good omen for the Pakistan bowling attack,” former left-arm fast-bowler Jaffar told The Express Tribune. “The Australia tour will be tougher for our fast-bowlers than the series in New Zealand. The conditions are more conducive for pacers in Australia but at the same time they can concede a lot of runs there if they are not disciplined.”
Jaffar believes the other bowlers also need to deliver. “Not just Amir; all the other fast-bowlers will have to work hard since Pakistan are relying on their pacers, particularly after leg-spinner Yasir Shah became an injury doubt.”
‘Senior batsmen will have to take responsibility’
Expressing concerns over Pakistan’s batsmen, Jaffar said the performances of senior batsmen will be key.
“Pakistan’s batsmen are likely to face problems because of the bounce in the tracks. In this situation, Younus and Misbahul Haq will have to take responsibility,” he said.
“They will have to score runs. Pakistan should build partnerships which will help them reach a decent total.”
Jaffar, also a former selector, added that Pakistan will be helped by playing the tour match under lights ahead of the opening day-night Test in Brisbane.
“Playing a tour match under lights will help Pakistan adapt to the conditions and get used to the visibility of the pink ball.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 9th, 2016.
In just two overs yesterday, Mohammad Amir showed what he is capable of.
The left-arm fast-bowler ran through the Australian top-order with three quick wickets to put Pakistan ahead on the opening day of their three-day tour match against Cricket Australia (CA) XI at the Cazaly’s Stadium in Cairns, Australia.
Amir dismissed opener Jimmy Peirson and captain William Bosisto off the first and second deliveries of the innings. He then castled Jake Winter in the next over to leave CA XI reeling at 3-4 at stumps in three overs. In between those two overs, Rahat Ali claimed the other wicket when he dismissed opener Jake Carder for naught.
Asad Shafiq hopeful of good results in Tests against Australia
Pakistan’s batsmen had also struggled earlier in the day, and are yet to convince Down Under after also failing against New Zealand in their 2-0 whitewash.
After electing to bat first, Pakistan were bundled out for 208 runs in 84.5 overs with the seasoned Younus Khan top-scoring 54 off 138 balls — the only half-century of day in which 14 wickets fell.
Tough challenge ahead for Pakistan: Salim Jaffar
Former Test cricketer Saleem Jaffar welcomed the positive start from the Pakistan pacers, saying the visitors will be relying heavily on fast-bowling during the ongoing tour where Pakistan play three Tests and five ODIs against Australia.
Yasir Shah out of practice match against CA XI
“It’s a good omen for the Pakistan bowling attack,” former left-arm fast-bowler Jaffar told The Express Tribune. “The Australia tour will be tougher for our fast-bowlers than the series in New Zealand. The conditions are more conducive for pacers in Australia but at the same time they can concede a lot of runs there if they are not disciplined.”
Jaffar believes the other bowlers also need to deliver. “Not just Amir; all the other fast-bowlers will have to work hard since Pakistan are relying on their pacers, particularly after leg-spinner Yasir Shah became an injury doubt.”
‘Senior batsmen will have to take responsibility’
Expressing concerns over Pakistan’s batsmen, Jaffar said the performances of senior batsmen will be key.
“Pakistan’s batsmen are likely to face problems because of the bounce in the tracks. In this situation, Younus and Misbahul Haq will have to take responsibility,” he said.
“They will have to score runs. Pakistan should build partnerships which will help them reach a decent total.”
Jaffar, also a former selector, added that Pakistan will be helped by playing the tour match under lights ahead of the opening day-night Test in Brisbane.
“Playing a tour match under lights will help Pakistan adapt to the conditions and get used to the visibility of the pink ball.”
Published in The Express Tribune, December 9th, 2016.