Pakistan vs South Africa Invitation XI – Day 1 Update

At stumps on day one of the tour match against the South African Invitation XI, Pakistan had scored 178 runs for the loss six wickets, with Sarfraz Ahmed and Umar Gul on the crease.

Misbah-ul-Haq, the Pakistan captain won the toss and opted to bat first, in an effort to give his batsmen enough practice before the commencement of the three-match Test series, which starts on February 1, 2013, at Johannesburg.

Mohammad Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed started the innings brilliantly as the in-form pair scored 105 runs for the first-wicket partnership. However, the middle-order batsmen crumbled in trying circumstances as the Green Shirts were soon in massive trouble, having lost six wickets for only 145 runs on the board.

Sarfraz and Gul looked good for their unbeaten 33-run partnership, before bad light stopped play on day one.

Jamshed remained the highest-scorer for Pakistan as he smashed 68 runs off 158 balls, in which the left-hander struck eight boundaries, while Hafeez shined with 55 runs.

These are worrying signs for Pakistan ahead of an all-important Test series as the batsmen will have to perform consistently, if they have any chance of dismantling the number one ranked Test team of the world.

Upon landing in South Africa, Misbah had warned his batsmen against the extra pace and bounce available on the South African pitches. The middle-order batsman wants his batsmen to raise the level of their game.

“We have to bat well. Whenever we go abroad, we try to practice against bounce and pace. We use different tactics for that and we make sure we get ready before the Test matches,” said the Pakistan captain. “It’s really difficult when you are not playing a format on a regular basis. You really have to work hard. But that’s how it is. We are not playing more Test matches. But we have to adjust because we are professionals.”

The skipper however, is expecting Junaid Khan, the left-arm fast bowler to deliver the goods on the tour.

“Junaid Khan would love to bowl in these conditions and Mohammed Irfan will do well if he can put the ball in the right areas,” he added.

Short URL: https://www.newspakistan.pk/?p=37673

Posted by Yasir Hashmi on Jan 26 2013. Filed under Sports. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.