Australian spinners show form in drawn game
AFP - Australia’s second spinner, Jon Holland, grabbed five wickets in the drawn four-day match in Dubai, UAE yesterday while sending a warning to Pakistan for the two-match Test series.
Pakistan ‘A,’ who had been facing an innings defeat, salvaged a draw by reaching the close on 261 for seven in their second innings at the ICC Academy.
Holland, a 31-year-old left-armer, followed off-spinner Nathan Lyon’s eight wickets in the first innings with five for 79.
The pair will lead Australia’s spin attack in the first Test starting in Dubai on Sunday.
The second Test is in Abu Dhabi from October 16.
Australia had declared their first innings at the overnight score of 494 for four with Travis Head unbeaten on 90, a lead of 216.
When Pakistan ‘A’ batted again, Lyon took one for 54 to finish with nine wicket in the match but Holland who played last of his two Tests in Sri Lanka in 2016 -took regular wickets. Skipper Asad Shafiq - a regular Test batsman for Pakistan - fought hard a solid knock of 69, adding 84 for the third wicket with Abid Ali, who followed a first-innings 85 with 52. When Shafiq was caught behind by Tim Paine off Holland, Pakistan were on 213 for four and, even though Holland took three more wickets, held on for the draw.
Iftikhar Ahmed, who played a Test in England two years ago, made 45 and opener Shan Masood scored 41.
Pakistan ‘A’ 278 and 261/7 (Asad Shafiq 69, Abid Ali 52, J. Holland 5/79) Australia: 494/4 (M. Marsh 162, S. Marsh 94, T. Head 90 n. o).