Abdul Jabbar Faisal
RAWALPINDI:-Left-handed open batter, Imam-ul-Haq played a composed innings of 132 runs that helped Green Shirts to end the day-1 game with full command against Australia at 245 for 1 in 90 overs at Pindi Cricket Stadium Rawalpindi on Friday.
Skipper Babar Azam decided to bat first after winning the toss, as Pakistani batter show excellent batting skills against an experienced bowling attack. Imam hit 15 fours during in 271 balls innings was the most valuable contribution in the Pakistan’s total.
Australian captain Pat Cummins used his eight bowler to break the partnership of the second wicket in which Imam and Azhar aggregated 140 runs. Pakistan will resume their first inning on Saturday morning at the same venue. Imam 132 and Azhar 64 were not out at the close of play day-1.
Summarized Score Card (day-1):
Pakistan Batting: 145 for 1 in 90 overs
Iman-ul-Haq 132 not out (271 balls, 4X15, 6X2), Azhar Ali 64 not out (165 balls, 4X4, 6X1)), Abdullah Shafiq 44 runs (105 balls, 4X3, 6X1)
Australia Bowling:
Natin Lyon (31-4-87-1)
Pakistan Playing XI:
Babar Azam (captain), Imam-ul-Haq, Abdullah Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Fawad Alam, Mohammad Rizwan (wicketkeeper), Iftikhar Ahmed, Noman Ali, Sajid Sajid Khan, Shaheen Afridi, Naseem Shah
Australia Playing XI:
Pat Cummins (captain), Usman Kawaja, David Warner, Marnus Laboschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameroon Green, Alex Cary (wicketkeeper), Mitchell Starc, Nathin Lyon, Josh Hazlewood
Match officials:
Aleem Dar and Ahsan Raza (on-field), Asif Yaqoob (third umpire), Rashid Riaz (fourth umpire), Ranjan Madugalle (match referee)
Day-1
First Session: (105 for 1 in 35 overs, Iman-ul-Haq 57 not out & Azhar Ali 0 not out)
Second Session: (171 for 1 in 56 overs, Imam-ul-Hq 92 not out & Azhar Ali 30 not out)
Third Session (245 for 1 in 90 overs, Imam-ul-Haq 132 not out, Azhar Ali 64 not out, Lyon 1 for 87).