Pakistan gain batting practice in tour match

Pakistan’s hopes of getting a much-needed batting practice were dealt a blow as only 18 overs were possible on day I.

Pakistan’s hopes of getting a much-needed batting practice were dealt a blow as only 18 overs were possible on the first day of their two-day tour match against Worcestershire. Pakistanis reached 51 for the loss of two wickets.

Mohammad Yousuf, playing his first match after being called for the England tour, faced just 10 deliveries for his two runs while Umar Amin faced 19 for a single as both batsmen returned to the pavilion after rain stopped play.

Earlier, Azhar Ali and Yasir Hameed provided the Pakistanis a reasonable start before they fell in the space of 10 runs. Ali was the first to depart when a run-out led to his dismissal after the opener made 19 with the help of two boundaries. Hameed failed to make the most of his chance as he was dismissed soon for 27 runs off 42 balls.

The Pakistanis, playing without Test captain Salman Butt, also decided to rest pacemen Mohammad Aamir and Mohammad Asif while the injured Umar Gul also sat out. Left-arm spinner Raza Hasan, and fast-bowlers Wahab Riaz and Tanvir Ahmed were included in the playing eleven while Kamran Akmal led the team. Pakistan play the third Test against England on August 18.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 14^th, 2010.