Sharjah: Iftikhar Ahmad and Fawad Alam of Pakistan A cracked half-centuries to frustrate the England bowling attack with a stubborn 112-run partnership for the fourth wicket in 44.4 overs as the two-day tour game ended in a draw on Tuesday. The Pakistan representative team ended up, scoring 216 for five in reply to England’s 286 for five declared on the second day at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Ahmad remained unbeaten on 92 off 209 balls (five boundaries and two sixes) while Alam scored 55 off 147 balls with seven boundaries.
The second day began with Pakistan openers Khurram Manzoor and Sami Aslam withstanding the England pace attack of James Anderson, Stuart Broad and Mark Wood for 13.4 overs before Aslam on six pulled Wood to Broad at square leg who took a stunning catch. Off-spinner Moen Ali struck in the very next over by dismissing Manzoor for 16 off a well-flighted delivery which the batsman edged to Anderson in the slip.
Restrained knock
In walked Fawad Alam, who is expected to make his return to Test cricket after a five year gap. He along with Ali Asad could put on just nine runs before Ali struck again. Ali produced a quicker delivery to trap Asad leg before for 7. Pakistan went for an uncomfortable lunch at 50 for 3.
Iftikhar Ahmad joined Alam and both the batsmen played cautiously. They steered Pakistan past the 100-run mark by the 49th over. England bowlers tried their best to break the partnership, which grew in strength with ever over. Both the batsman picked the gaps well restricting themselves from playing any aggressive shots. By tea, Pakistan were 117 for 3 needing to score 169 more runs in the remaining 34 over for the day to get a lead. Ahmad hit the first six of the innings lifting Ali over long on.
Alam was the first to reach his half century in 132 balls with six boundaries and the pair recorded their century partnership in 41.2 overs. Ahmad too reached his half century in 125 balls with just one boundary and a six.
The frustration for the England bowlers grew as they could not get a break through. Due to the extreme heat, England skipper Alastair Cook too used his pacers in short spells. However, it will be a worry for him that his spinners and all the other bowlers that he tried out could not get a wicket after lunch till almost the last season of the day. In the 65th over, Ali picked his third wicket when Alam while trying to hit over mid-on got caught by Broad. Ahmad went for his shots and lifted Ali towards the sightscreen to get his second six.
Usman Salahuddin, who took 44 balls to score nine runs, added another 28 runs with Ahmad before falling to Anderson. Adnan Akmal cracked three well-timed boundaries on the off side in his unbeaten 25 and with Ahmad steered Pakistan past the 200-run mark.
