Shadab impresses again as pacers fail to strike

By Our Correspondent

May 21, 2018

KARACHI: Leg-spinner Shadab Khan continued to impress while other bowlers struggled to strike as Pakistan’s two-day warm-up match against Leicestershire ended in a draw at Leicester on Sunday.

Leicestershire had scored 226 for six against Pakistan’s 321 for nine declared when the match ended. Shadab took two wickets for 32 in 13 overs on the batting-friendly pitch as pacers Rahat Ali, Hassan Ali and Faheem Ashraf failed to take a wicket.

Rahat conceded 50 runs in his 14 overs. Hassan and Faheem were economical though. The former conceded 18 in 10 overs, while the latter gave away only 10 in his nine overs. The other wicket takers were paceman Muhammad Abbas, who got one for 42 in 12 overs and part-timers Saad Ali (one for 20 in five overs) and Fakhar Zaman (one for 48 in 12 overs).

A Javid was the top scorer for Leicestershire with 54 runs (retired out). He struck seven fours and a six in his 115-ball knock. Other main contributors were L J Hill (33) and A M Ali (41) with seven boundaries each.

On Saturday, Pakistan had put up an authoritative batting display with openers Azhar Ali and Fakhar Zaman and No 4 batsman Usman Salahuddin scoring fine half centuries. The two-day game was Pakistan’s last opportunity to get ready for the opening Test against England which gets under way from May 24 at Lord’s.

Pakistan, who are hoping to give England a tough time in their two-Test series, rested opener Imam-ul-Haq and middle-order batsman Asad Shafiq. Pacer Mohammad Amir was unable to feature in the practice game because of fitness issues.

Pakistan won toss

Pakistan 1st Innings 321/9d (Azhar 73, Fakhar 71; Klein 2-44, Ali 2-28)

Leicestershire 1st Innings

H E Dearden c Fakhar b Saad 19

S T Evans lbw b Shadab 22

*L J Hill c Hasan b Shadab 33

A Javid retired out 54

A M Ali st sub b Fakhar 41

T J Wells c Fakhar b Abbas 25

†H J Swindells not out 2

TAI Taylor not out 17

Extras (b 4, lb 2, w 7) 13