Pakistan: Warmup Game - All-round performance by Malik (29 Aug 1998)

29 August 1998

All-round performance by Malik

Sports Correspondent

LAHORE, Aug 28: An all-round performance by discarded Test player Salim Malik, who has re-entered the national cricket scene after one year in wilderness, guided Pakistan seniors team to a 51-run win over the Pakistan 'A' side in first of the five-match series which began at the Qadhafi Stadium here on Friday.

The series has been planned between the two teams to provide them necessary practice before their international engagements.

Salim Malik slammed a brilliant 62 when the Pakistan seniors team was tottering at 76 for four. He, along with the Test wicketkeeper/batsman Moin Khan (56) plundered 86 runs for the fifth-wicket partnership which helped the seniors to achieve a good total of 243 for seven in theallotted 50 overs.

Thereafter, Salim Malik, bowled economically to claim four wickets for only 19 runs in 4.1 overs to halt the Pakistan 'A' team's chase, which terminated at 192 in 44.1 overs.

The Pakistan senior team captain Aamir Sohail won the toss and opted to bat first on a batting pitch. The decision seemed to be backfiring early in the innings. Saeed Anwar was out for 13. Aamir Sohail (7) who was unluckily run out in a mix-up. Muhammad Wasim (20) and Shahid Afridi (12) were also back in dressing room at a low total of 76. Salim Malik joined Moin Khan and started repairing the damage. Moin Khan was more aggressive than Salim Malik as he hit a quickfire 56 in only 54 minutes. Moin cracked one six and three fours. Salim Malik hit six elegant boundaries and scored 62 runs off 100 deliveries.

Azhar Mahmood, who scored 28 off 35 deliveries, helped Pakistan senior team cross the 200-run mark.

Pakistan 'A' paceman Azhar Shafique bowled economically to take two wickets for 13 in five overs. Test paceman Shahid Nazir conceded 41 runs in five overs and also took two wickets. Vice-captain of 'A' team, Arshad Khan claimed one for 37.

Middle-order batsman Akhtar Sarfraz struggled hard to carry Pakistan 'A' side to a win. However, his fine 81-ball knock of 82 fell short of requirement. He hit eight fours and one six. Akhtar Sarfraz and wicketkeeper/batsman Javed Qadeer (25) added 86 runs for the sixth-wicket stand.

Earlier, opener Salim Elahi, leading the team, could score His fellow-opener Azhar Shafique (18), Asif Mahmood (18), Taimur Khan (14) and Muhammad Javed (1) were also out cheaply, leaving Pakistan 'A' team struggling at 73 for five.

Pacemen Abdul Razzaque and Muhammad Zahid also bowled well to claim two wickets each, conceding 16 and 30runs, respectively. The Test leg-spinner Mushtaq Ahmad grabbed one wicket for 33. However, Salim Malik was pick of the bowlers as well.

Source :: Dawn (https://dawn.com/)