Shafiq leads by example as Pakistan A captain in Sharjah

Captain hits century on the final ball of Day 1 in the tour game to build confidence while Australia try to count the positives.

Pakistan's Asad Shafiq bats as Brad Haddin of Australia looks on during Day 1 of the tour match at Sharjah Cricket Stadium. Francois Nel / Getty Images

SHARJAH // Asad Shafiq and Ahmed Shahzad enjoyed a glorified net session on the opening day of the four-day tour match against Australia yesterday.

The young Pakistan A batsmen are part of the extended 19-man senior squad named ahead of the two-Test series, which starts in Dubai next week, and will be automatic selections barring injury.

On a typically docile Sharjah wicket, Shahzad countered the early morning, new-ball challenge of Mitchell Johnson as he posted 55.

Shafiq, the captain for this practice fixture, enjoyed a day to remember. He reached 100 in the final minutes of the day, then smashed Peter Siddle for six off the next ball he faced.

“When you score a hundred against a bowling attack like Australia have got, of course you feel confident,” Shafiq said.

“Hopefully, I can take that into the matches that follow.”

While the Pakistan A team’s senior batsmen will have been happy with their day’s labour, Australia were equally content with theirs. Work is rarely easy for bowlers at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium, but Steve O’Keefe will go away with fine memories of his first visit here.

The uncapped left-arm spinner took three for 76 to send a message to Australia’s selectors ahead of the Test series.

“It was a pretty dull track, but you have to expect that on Day 1,” said O’Keefe, the 29-year-old Malaysia-born spinner.

“Shafiq batted beautifully and deserved his hundred. To get three of their top seven out, I am happy with that.”

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