Karachi: Middle-order batsman Iftikhar Ahmed hit an unbeaten 102 off 48 balls in an intra-squad practice match at the events center in Queenstown.
Batsman Abdullah Shafiq scored 38 while all-rounder Hussain Talat made 24 runs. Faheem Ashraf picked up two wickets while fast-bowlers Wahab Riaz and Mohammad Hasnain took one wicket each.
The batters were asked to bat during the intra-squad match and bowlers were tasked to bowl in match-like situations to better prepare ahead of the first T20I.
The national team will lock horns against New Zealand in the three-match T20I series on December 18, 20 and 22 in Auckland, Hamilton and Napier, respectively.
The 18-member squad including Imam-ul-Haq will leave for Auckland tomorrow. Imam has not traveled to Whangarei with the Pakistan Shaheens squad after suffering from a thumb injury as team doctors will monitor his injury.
Pakistan Shaheens will take on New Zealand ‘A’ ahead of their only four-day match on December 17.
It must be noted Pakistan suffered a huge blow yesterday after captain Babar Azam injured his thumb, ruling him out of the T20I series. All-rounder Shadab Khan will lead Pakistan in Babar’s absence but he is also suffering from a groin niggle. – Agencies
Haris trying to learn yorkers from Waqar
Karachi: Emerging pacer Haris Rauf has been working hard with bowling coach Waqar Younis in the nets and is trying to learn maximum in his presence.
While talking to a group of journalists from Queenstown, the 27-year-old Haris said that the players have trained well ahead of the T20I series after spending 14-day in a quarantine period.
“He (Waqar) was a specialist in yorkers and I am also trying to learn from him on how to use the crease and bowl those yorkers. I try to emulate that in the matches too as you don’t have to be predictable in modern-day cricket,” he said.
“We played three practice matches which have helped us to progress our skills. The management is backing and helping players to come back to their groove,” he added.
Haris who has made his debut in T20I and ODI for Pakistan is now aiming to make his debut in Test cricket. “Every player dreams to play Test cricket and my goals is also the same. I’m trying to learn fast and soon make my name in Test cricket too,” he concluded.
Note, the Pakistan team trained at the events center in Queenstown from December 10-14. They will now travel to Auckland tomorrow to play the first T20I of the three-match series.
