Tour match: Dismal batting takes shine off bowlers’ efforts
Pakistanis 124-5 at stumps after pacers dismiss Cricket Australia XI for 114
The trio of left-arm pacers — Amir, Wahab and Rahat — shared nine wickets among themselves to dismiss the home side for a meagre 114 in 39.1 overs. PHOTO COURTESY: CRICKET AUSTRALIA
KARACHI:
Pakistanis may be in control against a young Cricket Australia XI side in the three-day tour match in Cairns, but their batting woes, which have been plaguing the team for quite some time, were again laid bare for everyone to see.
At stumps on the second day at the Cazaly’s Stadium, the tourists gained a lead of 218 runs courtesy Pakistani fast-bowlers who excelled with the pink ball.
The trio of left-arm pacers — Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz and Rahat Ali — shared nine wickets among themselves to dismiss the home side for a meagre 114 in 39.1 overs; Azhar Ali was the other wicket-taker.
But despite this brilliant show from the bowlers, Pakistanis, who were dismissed for 208 in the first innings, were once again struggling and finished the day 124-5 in 51 overs.
Amir lights up day one with three quick wickets
Azhar was the only batsman to walk with his head held high as he was the top-scorer for the Pakistanis, making an unbeaten 44 off 153 balls to keep his side in the game.
Opener Sami Aslam (12), Younus Khan (seven), and captain Misbahul Haq (naught) were all dismissed for paltry totals, while only Babar Azam (22) and Asad Shafiq (29) saved some grace by reaching the twenties.
At stumps, wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed (four) and Azhar were in the middle.
Pakistan face Australia next week on December 15 when the first match of the three-Test series commences at the Brisbane Cricket Ground and former chief selector Iqbal Qasim feels that favourable results would become difficult if the batsmen continue with the way they are batting at the moment.
Pakistan call up Mohammad Asghar as back up for Yasir Shah against Australia
“I am confident that the Pakistan pace attack will trouble Australia,” Qasim told The Express Tribune. “But only a good bowling show will not be enough [to win the match] and the batsmen will need to score more runs to support the bowlers.”
He further added that the senior players who have the experience of batting in Australia should take a more leading role and set a good example for the younger players.
“The batsmen who have played in Australia before must contribute as the youngsters are likely to struggle in difficult conditions there. I hope Younus and Misbah are able to perform well as only then will Pakistan have a strong chance to earn a rare series victory over Australia,” he said.
Yasir injures back, ruled out of tour match
Qasim also said that the Australia tour provides a perfect opportunity for younger players to leave their mark and cement their place in the starting XI.
“This series is very important for the new players. I remember Javed Miandad also struggled when he toured Australia as a teenager. That was also my first tour and I still remember how Miandad bounced back in the same series. So, it depends on a youngster himself and the team management cannot do much about it,” said Qasim.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 10th, 2016.
Pakistanis may be in control against a young Cricket Australia XI side in the three-day tour match in Cairns, but their batting woes, which have been plaguing the team for quite some time, were again laid bare for everyone to see.
At stumps on the second day at the Cazaly’s Stadium, the tourists gained a lead of 218 runs courtesy Pakistani fast-bowlers who excelled with the pink ball.
The trio of left-arm pacers — Mohammad Amir, Wahab Riaz and Rahat Ali — shared nine wickets among themselves to dismiss the home side for a meagre 114 in 39.1 overs; Azhar Ali was the other wicket-taker.
But despite this brilliant show from the bowlers, Pakistanis, who were dismissed for 208 in the first innings, were once again struggling and finished the day 124-5 in 51 overs.
Amir lights up day one with three quick wickets
Azhar was the only batsman to walk with his head held high as he was the top-scorer for the Pakistanis, making an unbeaten 44 off 153 balls to keep his side in the game.
Opener Sami Aslam (12), Younus Khan (seven), and captain Misbahul Haq (naught) were all dismissed for paltry totals, while only Babar Azam (22) and Asad Shafiq (29) saved some grace by reaching the twenties.
At stumps, wicketkeeper Sarfraz Ahmed (four) and Azhar were in the middle.
Pakistan face Australia next week on December 15 when the first match of the three-Test series commences at the Brisbane Cricket Ground and former chief selector Iqbal Qasim feels that favourable results would become difficult if the batsmen continue with the way they are batting at the moment.
Pakistan call up Mohammad Asghar as back up for Yasir Shah against Australia
“I am confident that the Pakistan pace attack will trouble Australia,” Qasim told The Express Tribune. “But only a good bowling show will not be enough [to win the match] and the batsmen will need to score more runs to support the bowlers.”
He further added that the senior players who have the experience of batting in Australia should take a more leading role and set a good example for the younger players.
“The batsmen who have played in Australia before must contribute as the youngsters are likely to struggle in difficult conditions there. I hope Younus and Misbah are able to perform well as only then will Pakistan have a strong chance to earn a rare series victory over Australia,” he said.
Yasir injures back, ruled out of tour match
Qasim also said that the Australia tour provides a perfect opportunity for younger players to leave their mark and cement their place in the starting XI.
“This series is very important for the new players. I remember Javed Miandad also struggled when he toured Australia as a teenager. That was also my first tour and I still remember how Miandad bounced back in the same series. So, it depends on a youngster himself and the team management cannot do much about it,” said Qasim.
Published in The Express Tribune, December 10th, 2016.