Pakistan’s veteran batsman Asad Shafiq scored a century in the second consecutive tour match, giving proof of his excellent form ahead of the Test series against Australia.
In the match being played in Perth against Cricket Australia XI, Pakistan won the toss and decided to bat first. Abid Ali became the wicket of David Grant without scoring a run.
After that, Shaan Masood came to support Imam-ul-Haq and both the players batted responsibly to take the score to 72, Imam-ul-Haq after scoring 44 runs gave away the wicket of L.
Haris Sohail’s streak of failures continued and he failed to score big for the third consecutive innings, ending his innings at 2 runs.
Mohammad Rizwan combined with Shaan Masood to take the score to 120 but he too returned to the pavilion after being set on the wicket.
After 4 wickets fell for 120 runs, acting captain Asad Shafiq came on to support Shaun Masood and the duo put on a solid 44-run partnership before the partnership proved dangerous for the hosts, Tim Oakley. forced Shaun Masood, who scored 76 runs, to return to the pavilion.
After half of the team got out, Babar Azam came to support Asad Shafiq and the pair once again played well like the previous practice match and pulled the team out of trouble.
The duo put on a 117-run partnership for the sixth wicket after Babar Azam’s knock of 63 off 66 balls gave Pope the wicket, his innings including nine fours and a six.
Iftikhar Ahmed failed to score big this time and became Pope’s fifth victim in the innings after scoring just five runs.
After the 7th wicket fell for 291 runs, it seemed that the innings of the national team would be over soon, but the new batsman Kashif Bhatti along with Asad Shafiq removed all the complacency of the host bowlers.
Both of them established an unbeaten partnership of 95 runs for the eighth wicket, thanks to which the Pakistani team secured the position by scoring 386 runs for the loss of 7 wickets at the end of the first day of the two-day match.
Asad Shafiq continued his excellent form and scored a century in the second tour match in a row and has so far scored 101 runs with the help of 10 fours.
Kashif Bhatti, who played the first match in the Australian tour, also took advantage of this opportunity and scored 56 runs off 47 balls with the help of a six and 9 fours.
Lloyd Pope was the most successful bowler for Cricket Australia XI with five wickets.
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**Interview with Asad Shafiq: Veteran Batsman Reflects on Form Ahead of Test Series Against Australia**
**Editor:** Asad, congratulations on your excellent performance in the recent tour match against Cricket Australia XI, where you scored another century. How does it feel to be in such great form right now?
**Asad Shafiq:** Thank you very much! It feels really good to contribute to the team and be in form just before our Test series against Australia. Scoring runs consistently gives me confidence, and I hope to carry this momentum into the Test matches.
**Editor:** You came in when the team was in a tough spot, with four wickets down. How did you assess the situation and guide the innings?
**Asad Shafiq:** Every time I walk to the crease, I focus on stabilizing the innings. I knew it was important to form partnerships, and I tried to take my time, build my innings, and communicate well with Shaan Masood. We managed to put together a crucial partnership that helped us recover.
**Editor:** Shaan Masood was your partner during that pivotal stage. How important is it to have a reliable partner at the crease, especially under pressure?
**Asad Shafiq:** Having a reliable partner is crucial. You need someone who shares the same mindset, and Shaan and I communicated effectively. We were able to rotate the strike and find gaps, which eased the pressure. Partnerships in cricket are often the key to building a solid total.
**Editor:** Looking ahead to the Test series against Australia, what aspects of your game are you focusing on to ensure success?
**Asad Shafiq:** I am focusing on maintaining my concentration and adapting to the conditions in Australia. The pitches here can be challenging, and I’ll need to be patient and stick to my game plan. Mental toughness will also be key, especially since we are up against a strong Australian side.
**Editor:** Lastly, what message do you have for your fans and supporters ahead of the Test series?
**Asad Shafiq:** I just want to thank all my fans for their unwavering support. Your encouragement motivates us players to give our best on the field. We’ll be working hard, and I hope to make you all proud in the upcoming matches!
**Editor:** Thank you, Asad. Best of luck in the Test series!
**Asad Shafiq:** Thank you! Looking forward to it.
