Bad weather hits Pakistan Test preparations at Dharamshala
Pakistan Times Sports Desk

DHARAMSHALA (India): Pakistan’s preparations for the first Test against India suffered a setback as only 11.4 overs were bowled due to bad weather on the third and final day of their drawn practice match here on Saturday.

Test-discard Mohammad Kaif and opener Dheeraj Jadhav were unbeaten on 49 apiece as an Indian Cricket Board President’s XI scored 120-1 in their first innings in reply to the tourists’ 273 when the game was called off due to poor light.

The bad weather disrupted play on all the three days in Pakistan’s only warm-up match before the opening Test of a three-match series, starting at Mohali on Tuesday.

Pakistan batted only once in the match, with only all-rounder Abdul Razzaq giving a good account of himself with an aggressive 63. His team-mates remained short of practice as none could score a half-century.

Pakistan now go into the first India Test without testing their bowlers as only 34 overs were completed in the Board President’s innings.

Fast bowler Mohammad Sami, Pakistan’s strike bowler in the absence of the injured Shoaib Akhtar, sent down just 11 overs for 37 runs.

Key Pakistani leg-spinner Danish Kaneria also got limited opportunities to get into his rhythm as he bowled nine overs on a low, slow pitch. Seamer Rana Naved-ul-Hasan was the lone successful bowler, finishing with 1-17 off eight overs.

Kaif, dropped from India’s squad for the first Test, remained in contention for the remaining two matches with a solid 80-ball knock which contained seven fours. He put on 103 runs for the unfinished second wicket with Jadhav, who hit seven fours in his 113-ball knock.

Pakistan will also play six One-day Internationals on their first tour of India in six years.●