KARACHI, Aug 12: Zulqarnain Haider cracked a fighting unbeaten half century to put Pakistan Academy innings back on track on the second day of their four-day game against South African (SA) Academy at National Stadium on Friday. Right handed Zulqarnain finished unbeaten on 76 as the home team finished at 220 for seven wickets in their first innings. Play was called off three overs too soon because of fading lights. Yasir Ali was not out on 11.

The pair so far had added 58-runs for the unbroken eighth wicket, lifting Pakistan Academy from 152 for seven wickets. Zulqarnain had batted for 211 minutes. He faced 158 deliveries and struck eight boundaries.

The home team is still 28-run behind with three wickets in hand. SA Academy resuming at their overnight score of 247 were dismissed for 248, adding just one run. John Duminy remained 82 not out.

Medium fast bowler Yasir Ali finished with six wickets for 59 runs in 19.3 overs.

Right arm pacer Ugasen Govender caused the main damage in Pakistan batting grabbing three wickets for 49 runs in 18 overs while skipper Francois Plessis took two for 19 in 13 overs with off-breaks.

When Zulqarnain joined Khalid Latif at the crease, Pakistan were tottering at 63 for four wickets just before lunch. Khalid’s patient 34 runs knock in 235 minutes came to an end when he was brilliantly caught by Mario Oliver at long-on when he tried to lift Plessis out of the ground. He hit five boundaries after having faced 126 deliveries.

Mansoor Amjad made an enterprising 25 of 38 balls with two boundaries and a six.

Pakistan batting found themselves all sorts of trouble under overcast conditions. Opening pair Khurram Manzoor and Nasir Jamshed both went caught behind for ten.

Nasir nicked a ball from fiery Morne Morkel while Khurram fell to Govender. Govender also added the wicket of Shahid Yousuf for 15 and Aamir Sajjad for 10.

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