November 06 Wednesday 2002
Sami misses hat-trick after Pakistan's impressive 456-6

HARARE: Pakistan's talented fast bowler Muhammad Sami captured three wickets in a lethal spell and came close to a hat-trick on a fairly good day for touring Pakistanis on the second say of their warm-up match against Zimbabwe 'A' on Tuesday.

Seven of the eight Pakistan batsmen scored 43 runs or better in the first inings as the tourists declared at 456-6 after an hour into second day. At the close, Zimbabwe 'A' were 200-5 in reply as bad light stopped play, leaving them 256 behind with five wickets in hand.

The exception to the Pakistan display of sound overall batting form was Yousuf Youhana, who was out for one following a freak run-out incident, a drive from batting partner Younis Khan knocking over the stumps at the other end via the bowler's foot with Youhana stranded out of his ground.

It was doubly unfortunate for Pakistan and for Youhana because he has had little batting practice in recent months and was therefore unable to show his current capabilities to the selectors ahead of the first Test which begins here Saturday.

Otherwise it was a batting bonanza for Pakistan. Taufeeq Umar, Khan, Hasan Raza, Inzimam ul Haq, Saleem Elahi, Shahid Afridi and Kamral Akmal all had productive stays at the crease, the first two reaching the 80's. Pakistan's plan for this tour opening match was carried through to perfection and it left them with the pleasurable problem of who to leave out for the first Test, because Waqar Younis, Younis Ahmed and Saqlain Mushtaq must all be brought in.

Zimbabwe 'A' began their efforts to save the game with a decent showing, three of their Test squad leading the way. Dion Ebrahim fell early with 14, but Mark Vermeulen, Guy Whittall and Gavin Rennie kept Shoaib Akhtar and colleagues at bay through much of the afternoon before Sami began his second spell.

Rennie is not in the Zimbabwe squad and so he had a statement to make, but his 48 was not quite sufficient for selectors' regrets. Vermeulen made a sound 43 and Whittall's 67 not out showed real mettle against the a good pace attack.

Rennie fell to Mohammad Sami and the Karachi-born pacer then got Stewart Matsikenyeri bowled first ball. A mighty shout went up for a hat-trick lbw against Whittall but Sami was turned down in a dramatic over.

Pakistan 1st Inns (overnight 352-5)

Saleem Elahi c Vermuelin b Manhire 49

Taufeeq Umar c Taibu b Sims 86

Younis Khan c Nkala b Macmillan 84

Inzamamul Haq b Mahwire 63

Yousuf Youhana run out Mahwire 1

Hasan Raza not out 64

Shahid Afridi c Rennie b Macmillan 49

Kamral Akmal not out 43

Extras (b1, lb2, nb13, w1) 17

Total (for 6 wkts decl) 456

Fall: 1-127, 2-161, 3-272, 4-273, 5-312, 6-396

Did not bat: Shoab Akhtar, Mohammad Sami, Mohammad Zahir, 12th man Faisal Iqbal

Bowling: Mkala 15-8-34-0; Macmillan 24-5-134-2; Mahwire 22-5-74-2; Ervine 22-1-134-0; Whittall 4-2-2-0; Sims 

15-3-75-1

Zimbabwe 'A' 1st Inns

D Ebrahim lbw b Afridi 14

M Vermeulin c Younis b Zahid 43

G Rennie c Younis b Sami 48

G Whittall not out 67

S Matsikenyeri b Sami 0

T Taibu c Akmal b Sami 6

S Ervine not out 1

Extras (b8, lb8, nb5) 21

Total (for 5 wkts) 200

Fall: 1-54, 2-72, 3-171, 4-171, 5-183

To bat: M Nkala, R Sims, C Macmillan, G Ewing

Bowling: Shoaib 12-5-19-0; Zahid 9.2-2-36-1; Afridi 1-4-73-1; Sami 14-4-39-3; Khan 7-2-17-0