Match ends in anticlimax draw

On the final day of the match between Australia A and Pakistan A a win was still up for grabs. Under cloudy skies and with the forecast of rain, Australia A looked a chance if they could score quickly in the first session.

Jaques was out for 48 after hitting an expansive drive, only to be caught low down at mid off by Misbah-ul-Haq. Haddin followed soon after for 0.

By lunch Australia A were 105-5 in their second innings, an overall lead of 184. With 60 overs remaining, there was still a chance for a result. It wasn’t quite enough for a declaration, so Australia A pushed on after lunch needing to score some quick runs and declare to give themselves a chance of winning the match.

Watson 63 no and Hodge 21 no put on some quick runs to allow Australia A to declare their innings at 165-6, a lead of 244 runs.

This left Pakistan A with an achievable target of 245 runs off a minimum 40 overs.

Mohammad Hafeez was injured, so Shahid Yousuf opened in his place with Refatullah Mohmand. Overpitched bowling from the Australia A bowlers gave Pakistan A the flying start they needed, with Australia A conceding 36 runs in the first three overs.

At tea, Pakistan A had progressed to 59-1. In the final session, Pakistan A required 186 runs to win with 9 wickets in hand, with a minimum 33 overs to be bowled.

Johnson took the vital wicket of Misbah-ul-Haq in the first over after tea for 5. Bailey replaced Johnson and had the wicket of Bazid Khan for 8 in his first over. Watson then clean bowled opener Rafatullah Mohmand for 40, and Pakistan A were not looking like winning the match. Some lusty hitting from Raza saw Pakistan A at 116-4 still requiring 129 runs to win with 6 wickets in hand with a minimum of six overs to be bowled. Raza brought up his 50 from 53 balls.

With a result unlikely, the captains agreed to call off the match, with a draw bringing to the end a match that could have been won by either side at various times during the four days.

Australia A 1st Innings 510-6 dec
Shane Watson 161*, Brad Haddin 129
Abdur Rehman 3-145, Mohammad Hafeez 2-116

Pakistan A 1st Innings 431
Mohammad Hafeez 180, Shahid Yousuf 71
Cullen Bailey 4/71, Mitchell Johnson 3/93

Australia A 2nd Innings 165-6 dec
Phil Jaques 48, Shane Watson 63*
Abdur Rehman 4/51, Mohammad Khalil 2/32

Pakistan A 2nd Innings 135-4 (30 overs)
Rafatullah Mohmand 40, Hasan Raza 50*
Mitchell Johnson 2/39

Match Drawn