The in-form Nasir Jamshed
showed his promise as the touring Pakistanis had their first run on
South African surfaces ahead of the three-Test series that starts next
Friday. Jamshed opened the batting with Mohammad Hafeez and they were the only two batsmen to profit on a day interrupted by rain and bad light.
South Africa's backup bowling talent impressed with Kyle Abbott, Beuran Hendricks and Simon Harmer taking two wickets each, while Wayne Parnell
made a return from his wrist injury with an economical outing. The
South African Invitation XI benched Ayabulela Gqamane despite his
consistently good showings this summer.
With adjustment to South African conditions being the major challenge
facing touring batsmen, Pakistan's top two seemed to have few problems.
Hafeez and Jamshed, playing in place of regular opener Taufeeq Umar, put
on a century stand and seemed to handle the pace and Harmer's offspin
with ease.
When Hafeez was caught off Abbott's bowling, the slide began and none of
Pakistan's middle order was able to stop it. Azhar Ali managed only two
singles off the 29 balls he faced before falling to Harmer. Younis Khan
also showed patience but his 25-ball 5 ended when he was caught behind
off Hendricks.
Misbah-ul-Haq and Asad Shafiq followed in the next four overs. Each only
scored four and dealt with the pace far more awkwardly than the batsmen
who preceded them. Jamshed stood firm through the collapse but, after a
rain delay, he too fell.
The Pakistanis' six wickets fell for 40 runs, which will be of some
concern to them ahead of the main event. With only the tail to follow
Sarfraz Ahmed, their focus will be on bowling on the second day.
Mastering the slightly shorter length that will lead to success in South
Africa will no doubt be on the agenda.
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