CAIRNS, Australia: Azhar Ali hit an unbeaten 82 and spinner Mohammad Nawaz took three wickets as Pakistan thrashed a modest Cricket Australia XI by 210 runs in Cairns on Saturday.
The tourists declared their second innings at 216 for six and then polished off the CA XI for 109 off 27.3 overs to win early on the final day of their three-day day-night game ahead of next week’s first Test against Australia in Brisbane.
Pakistan set the CA XI a target of 311 run but the inexperienced home side never got within range with left-arm spinner Nawaz snaring three for 31 and pacemen Mohammad Amir and Rahat Ali each capturing two wickets.
Azhar added 38 to his overnight score and struck three of his seven fours and two sixes on the final day before the Pakistan declaration to set up the result.
Nawaz was unbeaten alongside Ali on 36 off 47 balls, with Sarfraz Ahmed the only man to be dismissed on Saturday, bowled for 39.
“We were very satisfied with what we got,” Azhar said. “Everyone got time in the middle - that was the most important thing.
“Getting runs is a different thing but spending time and getting used to (the pink ball) is very important.”
Pakistan are coming off a two-Test series defeat in New Zealand and have lost their last nine Tests in Australia going back to 1999.“As a team we really want to improve,” Azhar said.
He also had a word of appreciation for the fielding. “We really worked hard on our fielding. As a team, we want to improve in that regard. Fielding is really important. In Test matches, if you catch well, you generally end up on the winning side.
“Cairns has been a lovely experience. The hospitality has been brilliant. We were welcomed here, and obviously enjoyed the game as well. We’re looking forward to the Gabba. Obviously, it will be hard work, but as a batting unit we’re really confident that we have the capability to deliver in these conditions.”
Arjun Nair, who top scored with 42, was pleased with his knock.
“For me to express my skills out there was a good opportunity. It felt good out there, decent deck, and to score some runs was a good, positive end to the game,” he said. “For me, it’s about building my own game, so getting runs was a good confidence-booster and something for me to work towards in the future. Batting against quality bowlers like Mohammad Amir, top class, and for us to come against those bowlers was a good experience. It’s about taking this experience and learning.”
The first Test between Pakistan and Australia - a day-night fixture in Brisbane - begins on December 15.
Pakistanis won toss
Pakistanis 1st innings 209 all-out (Younis Khan 54; C Valente 4-36)
Cricket Australia XI 1st innings 114 all-out (J Winter 39; M Amir 3-15)
Pakistanis 2nd innings 216 dec (Azhar Ali* 82; Lees 2-28)
Cricket Australia XI 2nd innings
J J Peirson lbw b Rahat 0
J M Carder lbw b Rahat 17
*W G Bosisto lbw b Amir 2
M W Short c Rahat b Nawaz 11
J L Winter c Babar b Amir 0
A J Nair c Asad b Nawaz 42
†J P Inglis run out 8
C Valente c Sarfraz b Wahab 9
M T Steketee b Nawaz 12
R A Lees not out 0
C Wheatley c Younis b Azhar 0
Extras (lb 6, nb 2) 8
Total (all out; 27.3 overs) 109
Fall: 1-1, 2-16, 3-20, 4-27, 5-42, 6-63, 7-87, 8-108, 9-109, 10-109
Bowling: Amir 6-1-18-2; Rahat 6-1-19-2; Nawaz (3) 8-1-31-3; Wahab 6-0-34-1 (2nb); Azhar 1.3-0-1-1
Result: Pakistanis won by 201 runs
First-class debuts: C Wheatley and J L Winter (Cricket Australia XI)
Umpires: G A Abood and S A J Craig. Match referee: P L Marshall
