Pakistan collapse chasing paltry 94 in tour match

PERTH: Pakistan showed glimpses of their bowling strength here Thursday as they warmed up for a Test series against Australia, but their batting failed dismally on the second day of the opening three-day tour match against a Western Australian second XI at James Oval.

After Wednesday’s onslaught by the opening pacemen Shoaib Ahktar and Mohammad Sami, the Pakistani’s unleashed legspinner Danish Kaneria, who destroyed the Second XI’s batting line-up. Kaneria claimed 7-45 off 16 overs, including two maidens, to dismiss the home side for 192 in their second innings. On Wednesday the Western Australian side posted 158 in its first innings while Pakistan wrapped up it’s first innings on Thursday with 257 – a lead of 99.

Needing just 94 to win, victory had seemed a formality for Pakistan until they crumpled to 44-6 by close of play, devastated by the local attack of Justin Coetzee who 5-23 and Matthew Petrie with 1-15. The opening pair of Yasir Hameed and Imran Farhat both fell to Coetzee for ducks and only Yousuf Youhana, not out on 28, could offer any resistance as Pakistan face an uphill task to knock off the remaining 50 runs on the final day.

Their first innings batting had also been brittle with the lead built almost entirely on number three bat Younis Khan’s 142, while Coetzee bagged another five-wicket haul, taking 5-66, and Matthew Petrie finishing 4-29. But the bad news for Australia is that Kaneria has a secret delivery which he said he was keeping for the Test series.

Kaneria, who has 87 wickets from 20 Tests, said the extra pace and bounce in the Western Australian Cricket Association pitch where the first test will be played later this month would help his bowling as he shaped up for a battle with world-record wicket-taker Shane Warne. “I am very happy. I got some wickets and that will boost my confidence more for the Test match coming up on the 16th,” he said. “I am looking forward to the series because I will be competing against the world’s best spinner.”afp

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