Akhtar takes Pakistan A one up

Pakistan A skipper Aaqib Javed took the advantage of overcast conditions morning by inviting the Indians to bat first after winning the toss and then restricted the visitors to 223 all out in 47.3 overs.

Opening bowler Aaqib Javed and leg-spinner Shahid Afridi took three wickets apiece while Abdul Razzaq and Arshad Khan claimed two wickets each.

The Indians started disastrously when skipper Gagan Khoda was out after scoring only four runs when the team’s score was 11.

Nikhil Haldipur and Jatin Paranjpe, through a 55-run second wicket partnership, steadied the innings. Paranjpe later added another 51 for the third wicket with R S Sodhi, who top scored with 51 laced with three fours and asix.

Pakistan A opener Shahid Afridi hit two sixes off Madhukar and three fours for his 37 runs made while facing only 22 balls. Fellow opener Salim Elahi scored 44 with seven hits to the fence.

But the decisive innings for the home side was played by number three Akhtar Sarfraz, who hammered 90 off only 75 balls. He pulled Noel David for a six and hit a six apiece off Sairaj Bahutule and Sanjay Raul while his innings was also studded with 10 fours.

Pakistan A reached their target in the 40th over with Hasan Raza (25) and Basit Ali (16) remaining unbeaten. Sarfaraz was deservingly named the Man of the Match.