Pakistani batsmen wobble after strong opening

Pakistanis 178 for 6 (Jamshed 68, Hafeez 55, Hendricks 2-39) v SA Invitation XI
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details

The in-form Nasir Jamshed showed his promise as the touring Pakistanis had their first run on South African surfaces ahead of the three-Test series that starts next Friday. Jamshed opened the batting with Mohammad Hafeez and they were the only two batsmen to profit on a day interrupted by rain and bad light.

South Africa's backup bowling talent impressed with Kyle Abbott, Beuran Hendricks and Simon Harmer taking two wickets each, while Wayne Parnell made a return from his wrist injury with an economical outing. The South African Invitation XI benched Ayabulela Gqamane despite his consistently good showings this summer.

With adjustment to South African conditions being the major challenge facing touring batsmen, Pakistan's top two seemed to have few problems. Hafeez and Jamshed, playing in place of regular opener Taufeeq Umar, put on a century stand and seemed to handle the pace and Harmer's offspin with ease.

When Hafeez was caught off Abbott's bowling, the slide began and none of Pakistan's middle order was able to stop it. Azhar Ali managed only two singles off the 29 balls he faced before falling to Harmer. Younis Khan also showed patience but his 25-ball 5 ended when he was caught behind off Hendricks.

Misbah-ul-Haq and Asad Shafiq followed in the next four overs. Each only scored four and dealt with the pace far more awkwardly than the batsmen who preceded them. Jamshed stood firm through the collapse but, after a rain delay, he too fell.

The Pakistanis' six wickets fell for 40 runs, which will be of some concern to them ahead of the main event. With only the tail to follow Sarfraz Ahmed, their focus will be on bowling on the second day. Mastering the slightly shorter length that will lead to success in South Africa will no doubt be on the agenda.