Pakistan Won The Match Against Chairman 11 by 43 runs
Pakistan Zindabad
Salman fishing for Test recall
Tuesday December 7, 09:43 PM
Twenty-year-old Pakistani batsman Salman Butt is in contention to add to his single Test appearance and open the batting against Australia next week after an unbeaten century against a Chairman's XI in Perth.
The diminutive left-hander, whose one Test appearance came against Bangladesh in September 2003, finished on 115 not out from 135 balls in Pakistan's 9-256 from 50 overs in the traditional fixture at Lilac Hill.
In reply, the home side managed 213 all out from 45.2 overs, with Luke Ronchi (51 off 44 balls) and Chris Rogers (61 off 59) the best batsmen.
While far from a polished knock, Salman's innings was a clear stand-out in the 43-run win, with fellow opener Imran Farhat the next best for the tourists with just 25.
Salman, Imran and Yasir Hameed are fighting for the two opening positions for the first Test against Australia starting at the WACA on December 16.
Imran and Yasir are the incumbents, having opened the innings in Pakistan's recent two-Test series against Sri Lanka, but Salman is breathing down their necks.
Averaging 50.40 from six one-day internationals, he proved his form with a match-winning 108 not out in a limited overs victory against India in Kolkata just over three weeks ago.
Pakistan coach Bob Woolmer conceded Salman was in the running for the opening clash of the three-Test series.
"(Today's knock) definitely puts him into the mix, with a hundred against India as well in Kolkata on a much bigger occasion," Woolmer said.
"It showed what temperament he had then and he showed a bit of skill today, so I think if you're in form you're always pushing, aren't you?"
Both Yasir and Imran failed to impress in the three-day game against a WA second XI last week.
Woolmer said form would be the determining factor, with a four-day game against WA starting on Thursday.
"They've all scored runs, they've all scored big two-hundreds in domestic cricket and against other sides - they can all do it," he said.
"I have confidence in all three of them, really they've got to show me who wants the position most."
Part-time medium pacer Mike Hussey (3-28) was the pick of the Chairman's XI bowlers, while former Test pacemen Tony Dodemaide (1-25) and Geoff Lawson (1-31) also chimed in.
Dodemaide, 41, admitted he had trouble sleeping as he contemplated facing the Pakistan top-order.
His last game was a social outing in England some 14 months ago.
Dodemaide said he and 47-year-old Lawson would be receiving slightly different treatment after the match to their younger team-mates.
"Geoff and I came from the era where most of the ice in the rooms was keeping the beer cold," he said.
"I reckon that'll be the best pain-killer."
