KARACHI: Pakistan captain Shan Masood completed an unbeaten 201 as Pakistan piled up 391-9 on the second day of their only warm-up game -- against Prime Minister’s XI -- ahead of their three-match Test series against Australia which begins in Perth next week.
The second day of the four-day game at Manuka Oval in Canberra saw Prime Minister’s XI post 149-2 in 60 overs after Pakistan declared their innings at 391-9.
Shan resumed from his overnight tally of 156 to add 45 more runs to his score, reaching his third first-class double hundred. He ended with an unbeaten 201 from 298 deliveries, including 14 boundaries and a maximum.
Pacer Jordan Buckingham, who had taken three wickets the previous day, struck twice today to complete a five-wicket haul. He removed Aamir Jamal and Mir Hamza, who both went out cheaply.
Shan declared the innings after Khurram Shahzad was run out courtesy of a direct hit by Nathan McSweeney, with the scorecard reading 391-9 in 116.2 overs. Cameron Bancroft hit 53 and Marcus Harris 49 in their quest to become Australia´s new Test opener, but neither was able to push on and make a big score.
They helped the Prime Minister´s XI reach 149-2 at stumps in Canberra to trail by 242. Billed as a “bat-off” to replace David Warner, Bancroft and Harris got the nod to open ahead of Matt Renshaw, who is also a contender to fill the void left by the veteran when he retires.
Warner has indicated he plans to quit the longer format after the third Test against Pakistan at the Sydney Cricket Ground in January, his home venue. Bancroft, best known for his role in the notorious “Sandpaper-gate” ball-tampering scandal in 2018, was patient in building a half-century before he was trapped lbw by Khurram Shahzad.
Harris, who has been in and around the Test side since his debut in 2018, fell short of his 50 when caught by Shahzad at mid-off from the spin of Abrar Ahmed. Renshaw was not out 18 and Cameron Green was unbeaten on 19.
Scores in brief:
Pakistan 391-9d, 116.2 overs (Shan Masood 201 not out, Sarfaraz Ahmed 41, Babar Azam 40, Abdullah Shafique 38; Jordan Buckingham 5-80, Mark Steketee 1-58, Nathan McAndrew 1-68, Todd Murphy 1-110)
Prime Minister’s XI 149-2, 60 overs (Cameron Bancroft 53, Marcus Harris 49; Khurram Shahzad 1-23, Abrar Ahmed 1-54). —with inputs from agencies