Pakistan openers Hafeez and Jamshed shine again

Opening batsmen Mohammad Hafeez and Nasir Jamshed shared their second century partnership of the match as the touring Pakistanis built a big lead on the third day of their four-day match against a South African Invitation XI at Buffalo Park on Sunday.

The tourists were 240 for five in their second innings at the close, a lead of 312.

Hafeez (83) and Jamshed (51) followed up their first innings stand of 105 with a partnership of 142.

Hafeez was again the more aggressive and was first to be dismissed, caught behind off part-time seamer Stiaan van Zyl, after hitting 13 fours and a six in a 109-ball innings.

Jamshed followed in the next over. He faced 122 balls and hit seven boundaries.

The Pakistani middle order again struggled, with Azhar Ali, Younis Khan and Asad Shafiq falling cheaply for the second time in the match. Captain Misbah-ul-Haq found some form, however, and was unbeaten on 51 at the close.

The success of the openers provided a selection poser for the tourists ahead of the first Test against South Africa, starting in Johannesburg on Friday, with regular opener Taufeeq Umar missing the East London match because of a leg injury.

Umar had a successful tour of South Africa in 2002/03, scoring 280 runs in two Tests at an average of 70.00, including an innings of 135 in Cape Town.

 

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