PERTH, Australia, 3 December 2004 — Pakistan showed glimpses of their bowling strength here yesterday as they warmed up for a Test series against Australia, but their batting failed dismally on the second day of the opening three-day tour match against a Western Australian Second XI at James Oval.
After Wednesday’s onslaught by the opening pacemen Shoaib Ahktar and Mohammad Sami, the Pakistan’s unleashed leg-spinner Danish Kaneria, destroyed the Second XI’s batting line-up. Kaneria claimed 7-45 off 16 overs, including two maidens, to dismiss the home side for 192 in their second innings.
On Wednesday the Western Australian side posted 158 in its first innings while Pakistan wrapped up it’s first innings yesterday with 257 — a lead of 99. Needing just 94 to win, victory had seemed a formality for Pakistan until they crumpled to 44-6 by close of play, devastated by the local attack of Justin Coetzee who 5-23 and Matthew Petrie with 1-15.
The opening pair of Yasir Hameed and Imran Farhat both fell to Coetzee for ducks and only Yousuf Youhana, not out on 28, could offer any resistance as Pakistan face an uphill task to knock off the remaining 50 runs on the final day. Their first innings batting had also been brittle with the lead built almost entirely on No. 3 bat Younis Khan’s 142, while Coetzee bagged another five-wicket haul, taking 5-66, and Matthew Petrie finishing 4-29.
