Practice match: Shehzad stakes Test claims in SA tour match

Younus hit century in practice match against hosts UAE in Abu Dhabi. Adnan Akmal and Abdur Rehman hit half-centuries.

SHARJAH: Opener Ahmed Shahzad brightened his chances for a Test place against South Africa after he struck a solid half-century as Pakistan 'A' batsmen matched the Proteas in the practice game in Sharjah on Wednesday.

The 21-year-old, vying for a place in the first of two Tests starting in Abu Dhabi from October 14, hit 66 in a Pakistan 'A' score of 230-4 in reply to South Africa's 354-8 declared on the second day of the three-day match at Sharjah stadium.

Pakistan needs to select three players from this tour match to add to the 12-man squad announced for the two-Test series.

The second Test starts in Dubai from October 23.

But Shahzad's rival for the opening slot, Shan Masood, also scored an attractive 50 in a stand of 106 for the first wicket before both retired to allow others a chance to gain practice.

Ahmed has played 27 one-day and 15 Twenty20 for Pakistan since 2009 and is tipped to make his Test debut in Abu Dhabi.

South Africa's four-pronged pace attack led by world's best Test bowler Dale Steyn toiled hard in the heat. Of the pacemen, only Morne Morkel managed a single wicket.

Steyn and fellow new ball partner Vernon Philander bowled 26 overs between them but were unable to separate the Pakistan 'A' openers.

Pakistan's one drop batsman Azhar Ali also notched a sedate 54 while Asad Shafiq, also fighting to keep his Test place, was unbeaten on 32 at stumps.

South African spinners Robin Peterson (1-42) and Imran Tahir (0-34) bowled tight but failed to extract much spin out of the pitch.

The two-Test series is expected to be dominated by spinners, with Pakistan likely to enter the first Test with off-spinner Saeed Ajmal and two left-armers in Abdur Rehman and Zulfiqar Babar.

Brief scores: South Africa 354-8 (J. Kallis 70, A. Petersen 58, AB de Villiers 58, Hashim Amla 50, JP Duminy 49)

Pakistan 'A' 230-4 (Ahmed Shahzad 66, Azhar Ali 54, Shan Masood 50).

Younus, Akmal Rehman flex batting muscles in practice match

Experienced batsman Younus Khan hit a hundred in a two-day practice match against hosts United Arab Emirates in Abu Dhabi on Wednesday, ahead of the forthcoming two-Test series with South Africa.

Younus scored 103 in Pakistan's total of 317-9 at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium.

Pakistan will look to Younus and captain Misbahul Haq to anchor the batting against world number ones South Africa in the first Test starting in Abu Dhabi on Monday.

The team have been badly let down by their batting in their last five Tests, losing 3-0 in South Africa and squaring a two-Test series 1-1 in Zimbabwe this year with poor batting displays.

Besides Younus, wicket-keeper Adnan Akmal scored 71 and Abdur Rehman 52.

A satisfied Younus said he wanted to take responsibility.

"I always try to lead as a senior player from the front," said the 34-year-old. "It's not pressure but just a

Brief scores: Pakistan 317-9 (Younus Khan 103, Adnan Akmal 71, Abdur Rehman 52)