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LAHORE, Sept 27: A fine century by opener Phil Jaques inspired Australia ‘A’ to a series victory as the visitors outclassed Pakistan ‘A’ in the decider one-dayer by 97 runs at the Qadhafi Stadium on Tuesday.
Jaques, who hammered 114, was chiefly responsible for guiding Australia ‘A’ to 273 for seven in 50 overs after the home side had made early inroads as the tourists were reduced to 87 for four in the third and final one-day fixture.
Pakistan ‘A’, playing without the in-form Shoaib Malik, subsided to 176 all out in 39 overs as a opted to experiment by sending opener Imran Farhat at No 3.
The only redeeming feature of Pakistan ‘A’s innings was the batting of Bazid Khan. The right-handed Bazid, scored a splendid 95 to follow his unbeaten 51 during the home team’s eight-wicket win on Sunday.
Sadly Bazid, who stroked 12 boundaries and faced 106 deliveries, found no support from the other end. He was on 93 when last man Mohammad Asif joined him at the crease. Off-spinner Daniel Cullen took a return catch as Bazid, son of former Pakistan skipper Majid Khan, attempted an ambitious drive.
But the day belonged to Jaques, who ensured the Aussies posted a challenging total after skipper Michael Hussey elected to bat first.
All-rounder Shane Watson (44, five fours) helped Jaques put on 85 for fifth wicket.
The other notable contributor for the visitors was Cameron White, the centurion of the last match who blasted three fours and two sixes on his way to an unbeaten 59 off only 43 balls while dominating a seventh-wicket stand of 49 with wicket-keeper Chris Hartley (12).
Test fast bowler Mohammad Sami managed just five overs before leaving the field with a back problem.
Hussey was naturally delighted at winning the one-day rubber after Australia ‘A’ had lost the two-match four-day series 1-0.
“It was a tough series and we learnt a lot from this tour,” he said.
He refused to comment over the security arrangements. “I am not allowed to comment on such matters. The team manager is the better person to speak on that aspect.”
Haroon Rasheed, the Pakistan ‘A’ manager, said that even though his side lost the series but a few talented players were spotted for the future.
SCOREBOARD
AUSTRALIA ‘A’:
P.A. Jaques b Salman 114
B.J. Hodge c Zulqarnain b Umar 4
J.R. Hopes c Imran b Sami 0
M.J. North c Zulqarnain b Yasir 10
M.E.K. Hussey b Yasir 2
S.R. Watson b Tahir 44
C.L. White not out 59
C.D. Hartley lbw b Asif 12
N.W. Bracken not out 11
EXTRAS (B-4, LB-3, W-7, NB-3) 17
TOTAL (for seven wkts, 50 overs) 273
FALL OF WKTS: 1-18, 2-20, 3-65, 4-87, 5-172, 6-196, 7-244.
DID NOT BAT: M.L. Lewis, S.R. Clark.
BOWLING: Mohammad Sami 5-0-32-1; Umar Gul 8-1-37-1; Muhammad Asif 9-0-47-1; Yasir Arafat 10-2-60-2; Salman Butt 10-0-48-1; Tahir Khan 5-0-24-1; Ashar Zaidi 3-0-18-0.
PAKISTAN ‘A’:
Salman Butt lbw b Clark 4
Ashar Zaidi b Clark 6
Imran Farhat c Hussey b Bracken 0
Bazid Khan c and b Cullen 95
Hasan Raza b Bracken 1
Faisal Iqbal b Lewis 9
Yasir Arafat c White b Watson 8
Zulqarnain Haider c Hartley b Hopes 7
Tahir Khan c Cullen b White 25
Umar Gul lbw b Cullen 2
Mohammad Asif not out 6
EXTRAS (LB-1, W-6, NB-6) 13
TOTAL (all out, 39 overs) 176
FALL OF WKTS: 1-5, 2-6, 3-15, 4-16, 5-57, 6-80, 7-99, 8-160, 9-163.
BOWLING: Clark 8-0-32-2; Bracken 7-2-15-2; Lewis 6-0-31-1; Watson 4-1-17-1; White 8-0-40-1; Hopes 3-0-27-1; Cullen 3-0-13-2.
RESULT: Australia won by 97 runs to claim series 2-1.
UMPIRES: Shakeel Khan and Zameer Haider.
MATCH REFEREE: Azhar Khan.
