ZCZC
BSP-14
CRICKET-PAK-AUS-TEA
Hafeez hits hundred as Pakistan dominate Australia
DUBAI, Oct 7, 2018 (BSS/AFP) – Opener Mohammad Hafeez capped his return to
Test cricket with a brilliant century as Pakistan reached 199-0 at tea on the
opening day of the first match against Australia in Dubai on Sunday.
Hafeez, a late inclusion in the squad after a double hundred in a domestic
match, was unbeaten on 113 while fellow opener Imam-ul-Haq was 75 not out
after Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat on a flat Dubai Stadium pitch.
Hafeez, whose last of 50 Test appearances came in England two years ago,
brought up his tenth Test century with two boundaries off Mitchell Starc
before pushing spinner Jon Holland for two.
He was given a life on 74 when Mitchell Marsh could not hold on to a tough
chance on the boundary off the bowling of Holland after covering some 20
yards in the outfield.
Imam compiled his second Test half-century with the aid of seven
boundaries and two sixes as Australia’s pace-cum-spin attack toiled hard in
two wicketless sessions.
Australia captain Tim Paine brought on off-spinner Nathan Lyon in the
ninth over but none of the bowlers found any help from the pitch.
Australia handed Test caps to Aaron Finch, Travis Head and Marnus
Labuschagne while Pakistan included off-spinner Bilal Asif for his first Test
at the age of 33.
The second Test starts in Abu Dhabi on October 16.
BSS/AFP/SSS/1727 hrs