Australia A beat Pak

Perth, Jan 2: Pakistan kicked off their tour of Australia on Sunday with a wretched batting performance in a 52-run defeat by Australia A in a day-night match at the WACA. The Pakistanis, preparing for this month’s triangular limited overs series with Australia and India, collapsed to 82 for six as they chased a victory target of 282.

Azhar Mahmood spared some of their blushes with a defiant unbeaten 100 but the touring team were bowled out for 229 in 41.5 overs in reply to the Australians’ 281 for nine.

Matthew Hayden blasted 128 (115b, 17×4, 2×6) and put 191 for the first wicket with David Fitzgerald (85). It was only through a superb performance by off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, who took five for 40 off 10 overs, that Pakistan were able to keep Australia A from passing 300. Akram’s figures were 0-27 in 10 overs.