Azhar Ali, bowlers script an easy win for Pakistan in tour game

Opener Azhar Ali hit an unbeaten 82 and Mohammad Nawaz’s left arm spinners yielded three wickets as Pakistan steamrolled Cricket Australia XI by 210 runs in the tour game in Cairns on Saturday. Ali added 38 to his overnight score and struck three of his seven fours and two sixes on the final day before the Pakistan declaration. Nawaz was unbeaten alongside Ali on 36 off 47 balls, with Sarfraz Ahmed the only man to be dismissed on Saturday, bowled for 39.

After securing a 104 runs lead in first innings, the visitors declared their 2nd innings at 216 for six to set a target of 311 runs before polishing CA XI for 109 off 27.3 overs to win the match on the final day of their three-day day-night game ahead of next week’s first Test against Australia in Brisbane. The fast bowling attack comprising of Mohammad Amir (2/18), Wahab Riaz (1/34) and Rahat Ali (2/19) along with the left-arm spinner Nawaz proved too tough to handle for the hosts. Nawaz registered the best figures getting 3 for 31.

Earlier in the first innings, Pakistan batted first and could manage only 208 in the first innings with the help of Younis Khan’s 54. CA XI, however, were unable to take the advantage and were rolled over by the Pakistan bowlers for just 114 with the pace bowling trio enjoying the pink ball action and grabbing three wickets each. They were almost impossible unplayable at times.

The second innings was also a bowler-dominated affair where both the teams struggled against the moving pink ball. However, Azhar Ali’s sensible half-century proved to the difference and eventually set-up the victory for the tourists.

Pakistan is coming off a two-Test series defeat in New Zealand and has lost their last nine Tests in Australia going back to 1999.

Scores:

Pakistan: 208 (Younus Khan 54, Sarfraz Ahmed 39; C. Valente 4-36, M. Steketee 3-47) and 216-5 declared (A. Ali 82 not out, M. Nawaz 36 not out; R. Lees 2-28)

Cricket Australia XI: 114 (J Winter 39; Mohammad Amir 3-15, Rahat Ali 3-26, Wahab Riaz 3-28) and 109 (Arjun Nair 42; Mohammad Nawaz 3-31) by 210 runs.