Asad Shafiq tunes up for test series with another century

Pakistan finished the first day of the two day tour game against Cricket Australia XI at 386 for 7 thanks to a second century plus score in as many games by Asad Shafiq at Perth. 

The acting captain, before putting on a masterclass, decided to give his batsmen a go. Abid Ali failed to make most of his given chance after replacing Azhar Ali as he fell without opening his account during his three ball stay. 

Shan Masooq solidified his recent form with the bat in a 72 run second wicket partnership with Imam-ul-Haq who got some much needed runs before departing for 44.

Haris Sohail and Mohammad Rizwan were the next batsmen to fall, each without a meaningful contribution to the scoreline. 

Pakistan's acting captain walked in with his team in a bit of a bind at 120 for 4 and looked confident with the bat but needed support from the other end as Shan Masood fell to Tim Oakley for 76.

He found it with Babar Azam who was batting much lower than his actual position. The two continued their rich vein of form adding 117 runs together before Lloyd Pope got his biggest scalp of his young career, getting Babar caught for 66 runs.

Asad played without any hitches and managed to reach his second hundred in his second consecutive game remaining not out on 101 at the close of the play. He was partnering Kashif Bhatti when the stumps were drawn who managed to hit a quickfire 56 off 47 balls while remaining not out at the close of the play.