Irfan, Misbah shine as Pakistan strike back against Cobras

| 10th February, 2013
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Misbah-ul-Haq. -File photo by AP

CAPE TOWN: Left-arm fast bowler Mohammad Irfan took four wickets in the first innings of a two-day tour match on Sunday as Pakistan prepared for the second Test against South Africa, starting at Newlands on Thursday.

Irfan had figures of four for 20 from 12 overs as the Emerging Cape Cobras, comprising second-string players from the Western Cape franchise, were bowled out for 156 at the Western Province Cricket Club.

Pakistan were 127 for four at the close, with captain Misbah-ul-Haq unbeaten on 44.

Irfan, bowling as first change, ended a second-wicket stand of 62 between Matthew Kleinveldt (36) and Keegan Petersen (32) when he had Petersen caught at midwicket.

He followed up by bowling Kleinveldt in an opening spell of two for 19 in seven overs. He conceded only one run and dismissed two lower order batsmen in a five-over second spell.

Opening bowler Johannes Bothma claimed two wickets as the tourists slumped to 29 for three, having veteran Younis Khan caught at second slip for two and bowling Azhar Ali for 11.

Faisal Iqbal (33) and Misbah put on 58 for the third wicket before Misbah and Asad Shafiq (21 not out) batted through to the close.

Teams:

Pakistan: Imran Farhat, Nasir Jamshed, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (capt), Asad Shafiq, Faisal Iqbal, Sarfraz Ahmed, Abdur Rehman, Mohammad Irfan, Tanvir Ahmed, Rahat Ali and Ehsan Adil

Emerging Cobras: Mathew Kleinveldt, Shaun Gomes, Uwe Birkenstock, Keegan Petersen, RCC Canning (captain), SA Engelbrecht, Petrus Jeftha, Ockert Erasmus, Modnli Mahlombe, Johan Bothma, Brendon Young and Tariq Chiecktey

COMMENTS

  1. Moeen
      February 11, 2013 6:52 pm

    So fragile is Pakistan’s batting that Misbah’s 44 makes the heading as “Misbah shines”. And this is only against a first class team having no player of the test calibre !!

  2. Rehan
      February 11, 2013 5:33 pm

    do well in side matches and give in main matches ……

  3. Hooda
      February 11, 2013 2:14 pm

    Imran Farhat’s inclusion cannot be justified given his previous performances unless he plays really well and prove us wrong especially the “purchee pressure” perception behind his selection.

  4. Fen
      February 11, 2013 7:24 am

    Seems Pakistan team is playing with just 2 batsman Misbah and Asad Shafiq.Irfan and Abdul Rehman look certainities for next Test match.

  5. Aamir
      February 11, 2013 1:41 am

    Irfan was left out because there are challenges with his fitness… maybe he should play but he needs to work hard to survive the 5 days. Getting 4 wickets versus the cobras is not any big feat. We need to score another 150 runns quickly tomorrow morning and get the cobras all out for less than 100 runs and win this two day test.

  6. Ali
      February 11, 2013 12:08 am

    I asked a few days ago, why Irfan was kept out of the first test match? I am left with the same question. Also Imran Farhat is over rated and I hope he proves me wrong.

  7. imran
      February 10, 2013 11:51 pm

    Hopefully we won’t lose by an innings in the next test match.