(MENAFN- Khaleej Times) Pakistan A take lead of 338 runs at the end of the third day of the four-day game against the Australians.
Pakistan A’s Babar Azam hits a six during the four-day tour match against the Australians in Sharjah on Friday. — KT photo by Mukesh Kamal
Sharjah — Pakistan who lost the lone Twenty20 game and ODI series against Australia mainly due to some inept batting performances have reasons to be relieved after witnessing a spirited display from their young batsmen at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday.
Both Babar Azam and Haris Sohail smashed superb centuries to help Pakistan A take a lead of 338 runs at the end of the third day of the four-day game against the Australians. The duo added an unbeaten 219-run partnership for the fourth wicket in 56 overs at an impressive run rate of 3.91.
Azam who made his mark in the Under-19 World Cups hadn’t yet scored a century in 15 first class matches but utilised the opportunity here to smash an unbeaten 114 off 178 balls. Azam who chipped in with an useful 40 in the first innings boosted his chances to get a Test cap through a composed knock which included nine fours and three sixes.
The 25-year old Sohail who has already played four one-day internationals and one Twenty20 for Pakistan smashed nine boundaries and three sixes in his 172-ball 103. The century followed by his impressive 43 off 91 deliveries in the first innings will give Sohail a great chance to make his Test debut.
Earlier Ahmed Shehzad hit a half century and gave a steady start to Pakistan A with his fellow opener Shan Masood. Shehzad who played five Tests so far smashed eight boundaries in his 95-ball 59 and added 62 runs for the first wicket with Masood. 0pener Masood was the first to go when Nathan Lyon took his first wicket in the 30th over. The left-hander edged a turning delivery from Lyon and the substitute wicketkeeper Saqlain Haider took a sharp catch towards his left. It was a memorable moment for the UAE player Haider who took the gloves for Australia as Brad Haddin was rested.
Steve O’Keefe who picked up three wickets in the first innings went wicketless while Lyon who finished with 0-68 from 19 overs in the first innings was the only successful bowler on Friday. The 26-year old offspinner finished with 2-49 from 17 overs.
Mitchell Johnson who played a key role in the one-day series triumph last week bowled only six overs on Friday while Mitchell Starc did bulk of the bowling from the pace department but finished with figures of 0-41 from 15 overs.
However Australia would have been impressed by the way allrounder Mitchell Marsh who is a likely debutant in Dubai Test bowled here. Though Marsh returning after a hamstring injury didn’t pick up a wicket he finished with 0-18 from his seven overs.
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