Salman Butt powers Pakistan to victory

Pakistanis 9 for 256 (Butt 115*, Hussey 3-28) beat Cricket Australia Chairman's XI 213 (Rogers 61, Ronchi 51) by 43 runs
Scorecard

A superb unbeaten 115 off 135 balls from Salman Butt guided the Pakistanis to a 43-run win in their opening tour match against the Cricket Australia Chairman's XI at Lilac Hill in Perth. In reply to the Pakistanis' total of 9 for 256 in 50 overs, the CA Chairman's XI were bowled out for 213.

Butt smacked 11 fours and a six to enhance his chances of a call-up to the Test team, while Michael Hussey's part-time bowling accounted for three of the wickets to fall.

Geoff Lawson and Tony Dodemaide, Australian stalwarts of the past, gave the crowd something to cheer, picking up a wicket apiece as Pakistan made a spluttering start. Inzamam-ul-Haq and Yousuf Youhana both failed, making 16 and 15, while the big-hitting Shahid Afridi was out for 21.

The Chairman's XI were always off the pace, although West Australian keeper Luke Ronchi smashed five sixes in his 44-ball 51 and Chris Rogers made 61 from 59 deliveries. But they lacked support, with Justin Langer (1) and WA regulars Murray Goodwin (8) and Mike Hussey (8) all failing to trouble the Pakistan attack. Rana Naveed-ul-Hasan was the pick of the visitor's bowlers, finishing with 3 for 36.

Bob Woolmer, Pakistan's coach, admitted that Salman was in the running for a Test berth. "His knock definitely puts him into the mix, with a hundred against India as well at Kolkata on a much bigger occasion," Woolmer said. "It showed what temperament he had then and he showed a bit of skill today, so I think if you're in form you're always pushing, aren't you?"

Dodemaide, now 41, said he had trouble sleeping as he contemplated facing the Pakistan top-order. His last game was a social outing for Surrey Cryptics in leafy Surrey, England some 14 months ago, when he made a hundred. He admitted his post-match routine might be at odds with his younger colleagues. "I came from the era where most of the ice in the rooms was keeping the beer cold," he laughed. "I reckon that'll be the best pain-killer."

Pakistan will play a four-day match against Western Australia before the first Test against Australia starts at the WACA on December 16.