Shehzad, Shafiq and Masood complete Pakistan line-up
Trio added to squad for South Africa Test series as national team outplays UAE.
With the practice matches over, Pakistan will take on the world number one Test side South Africa in the first match in Abu Dhabi on October 14. PHOTO: FILE/ AFP
KARACHI:
The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) selection committee added Ahmed Shehzad, Asad Shafiq and Shan Masood to the squad for the two-match series against South Africa.
The players were announced following their impressive performance for Pakistan A in the three-day tour match against the Proteas.
The touring side managed 109 for three in their second innings with an overall lead of 152 on the final day at the Sharjah Stadium.
Earlier Shehzad scored 66 while Masood hit 50 before retiring out — both were candidates for the openers’ slots.
Asad Shafiq, who had been struggling for runs also managed to retain his place in the Test squad by scoring 42 runs.
Captain Umar Amin managed just 12, Sohaib Maqsood notched 34 and wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan hit 31.
Pakistan A declared their first innings at 311 for six, giving South Africa a lead of 43.
For South Africa, paceman Vernon Philander chipped in with figures of two for 39 while Morne Morkel grabbed one for 26.
The axe fell on Faisal Iqbal who has been left out after spending more than a year as part of the test squad. Pakistan played eight matches in the longest format but did not field Iqbal even once.
The first Test will start in Abu Dhabi from October 14.
National team demolishes UAE by 127 runs
Meanwhile, Pakistan bowlers were on song as Misbahul Haq’s men outclassed the UAE by 127 runs in the two-day warm-up tie in Abu Dhabi.
Lanky Mohammad Irfan snared a four-wicket haul for just 28 runs, negating the impression that the conditions in the UAE hardly help fast-bowlers.
The UAE were impressive as they began the pursuit of 317 runs posted by Pakistan on the opening day of the practice tie as they reached 132 for three. However, they failed to take advantage of the good start and crumbled cheaply for just 190 in 73.5 overs.
Pakistan spinners remain the main threat for South Africa in the upcoming series and they showed a glimpse of their form, sharing eight of the 13 wickets to fall. Saeed Ajmal grabbed three for 20 while Zulfiqar Babar strengthened his case for a Test debut with figures of three for 44. Abdur Rehman, Junaid Khan and Rahat Ali took a wicket apiece.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 11th, 2013.
The Pakistan Cricket Board’s (PCB) selection committee added Ahmed Shehzad, Asad Shafiq and Shan Masood to the squad for the two-match series against South Africa.
The players were announced following their impressive performance for Pakistan A in the three-day tour match against the Proteas.
The touring side managed 109 for three in their second innings with an overall lead of 152 on the final day at the Sharjah Stadium.
Earlier Shehzad scored 66 while Masood hit 50 before retiring out — both were candidates for the openers’ slots.
Asad Shafiq, who had been struggling for runs also managed to retain his place in the Test squad by scoring 42 runs.
Captain Umar Amin managed just 12, Sohaib Maqsood notched 34 and wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan hit 31.
Pakistan A declared their first innings at 311 for six, giving South Africa a lead of 43.
For South Africa, paceman Vernon Philander chipped in with figures of two for 39 while Morne Morkel grabbed one for 26.
The axe fell on Faisal Iqbal who has been left out after spending more than a year as part of the test squad. Pakistan played eight matches in the longest format but did not field Iqbal even once.
The first Test will start in Abu Dhabi from October 14.
National team demolishes UAE by 127 runs
Meanwhile, Pakistan bowlers were on song as Misbahul Haq’s men outclassed the UAE by 127 runs in the two-day warm-up tie in Abu Dhabi.
Lanky Mohammad Irfan snared a four-wicket haul for just 28 runs, negating the impression that the conditions in the UAE hardly help fast-bowlers.
The UAE were impressive as they began the pursuit of 317 runs posted by Pakistan on the opening day of the practice tie as they reached 132 for three. However, they failed to take advantage of the good start and crumbled cheaply for just 190 in 73.5 overs.
Pakistan spinners remain the main threat for South Africa in the upcoming series and they showed a glimpse of their form, sharing eight of the 13 wickets to fall. Saeed Ajmal grabbed three for 20 while Zulfiqar Babar strengthened his case for a Test debut with figures of three for 44. Abdur Rehman, Junaid Khan and Rahat Ali took a wicket apiece.
Published in The Express Tribune, October 11th, 2013.