Practice match: Pakistan inch closer to victory as lead swells

Tourists lead by 312 runs on day 3 against South African Invitation XI.

Pakistan sat comfortably in prime position to record a first victory on their visit to South Africa as they bowled the hosts out and built a significant lead on the third day in East London during their first practice Test match, according to ESPNcricinfo.

Runs flowed in as Nasir Jamshed and Mohammed Hafeez continued their superb form, while Saeed Ajmal, Junaid Khan and Umar Gul all looked dangerous as they flexed their wicket-taking muscles.

Posting a hefty 240 for five, at the close of play, Pakistan were leading by 312 runs with five wickets remaining at the end of the third day. Earlier the visitors had scored 329 runs in the first innings with a strong opening partnership by Mohammad Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed.

In response, South African Invitation XI bundled out at 257 with Khan and Ajmal taking three a piece.

Mohammed Irfan – Pakistan’s latest sensation who is 2.03 metre tall – only bowled 12 overs in the first-innings as team management called for fast-bowling reinforcements to be sent to South Africa. He was not needed on the third morning as it took Ajmal and Junaid just 13.1 overs to get rid of the South African Invitation XI’s tail.

Pakistan’s opening pair appeared solid after Hafeez and Jamshed put on a century stand with both making half-centuries. Hafeez appeared aggressive with 83 coming off 109 balls before he was caught behind.

Meanwhile, Jamshed spent four minutes short of three hours at the crease to compile his 51. Even though he seemed well set, he departed the over after Hafeez was bowled by Kyle Abbot.

Azhar Ali, Younis Khan and Asad Shafiq all did nothing to shine leaving the middle order looking shaky. They were all caught and at one point in the math, the tourists stood at a precarious 191 for five.

But Misbahul Haq reached a half-century as stumps loomed with Sarfraz Ahmed with him at the crease.

The Pakistan squad will leave for Johannesburg tomorrow to begin preparations for the first Test, which starts on Friday.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 28^th, 2013.