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Back-to-back centuries for Asad Shafiq as Pakistan batsmen tune up for first Test

Pakistanis 7 for 386 (Shafiq 101*, Masood 76, Babar 63, Bhatti 56*, Pope 5-100) v Cricket Australia XI

Asad Shafiq continued his terrific form ahead of the first Test in Brisbane with his second successive century against an inexperienced Cricket Australia XI attack in the last two-day tour game at the WACA.

On a day where four Pakistan players passed 50 against an attack with hardly any first-class experience, exciting South Australia legspinner Lloyd Pope showed his immense promise by dismissing five of Pakistan's top seven batsmen.

Pakistan were able to give all their batsmen on the tour, bar skipper Azhar Ali, a chance. Imam-ul-Haq and Abid Ali opened with Shan Masood sliding to No. 3. While Abid was dismissed for a duck, Imam made 44 and Masood backed up his half-century against Australia A on Wednesday with 76. Pope then zipped through the middle order as Haris Sohail's miserable tour continued while Mohammad Rizwan failed to convert his start and was dismissed for 22.

But Shafiq and Babar picked up where they left off against Australia A, putting together another splendid stand of 117. Babar made 63 in just 66 balls while Shafiq reached three figures later.

Kashif Bhatti made the most of the easy batting conditions late in the day and cruised to 56 not out from just 47 balls with the help of nine fours and a six.

CA XI 2nd innings Partnerships

WktRunsPlayers
1st2JM CarderJ Goodwin
2nd4M SpoorsJ Goodwin
3rd122M SpoorsJ Merlo
4th12JR DoranM Spoors
5th25M SpoorsBM Hope
6th29BM HopeDR Drew
7th15BM HopeTL O'Connell
8th37BM HopeM Perry