Published: Jul 03, 2016, 02:35 PM (IST)
Edited: Aug 30, 2016, 07:13 PM (IST)
Hello and Welcome to the Cricket Country’s live match coverage of the three-day practice match between Somerset and Pakistan. Somerset will play hosts to Pakistan at the Cooper Associates County Ground in Taunton. The visitors will look to begin their preparations for the upcoming series against England on a positive note. They would want to adjust to conditions and adapt quickly. But not only that, they would also want to find the right combination for the long tour in propect. Misbah-Ul-Haq will lead the Pakistan side and Chris Rogers would be captaining the Somerset team. Sit back and relax as we bring you the live action from Taunton.
Day 1, Stumps!!!
Live Cricket Score and Updates: Pakistan 334/5 | Overs 92 | Batting: Younis Khan 99(161), Sarfraz Ahmed 6(10) : Meekeren continues, Younis hits a four off the fourth ball. He takes a single off the last ball, five runs from the over. Leach comes back into the attack before end of Day’s play. Younis takes a single off the last ball, Shafiq plays four dots and takes a single off the last ball. Just two runs off Leach’s over. Meekeren continues, Shafiq scores just a couple off the over. Leach to Younis, he takes a single off the second ball of the over. Shafiq plays two dot balls, WICKET! Shafiq has to go back to the pavilion for 80. He plays a loose shot, these two shared a partnership of 179 runs to takes Pakistan out of danger. Sarfraz Ahmed comes in to bat and hits the first ball for a four, five runs off that over. Meekeren continues, Younis scores a couple off the over. Leach continues, Sarfraz scores just a couple off the over. Bess to Younis, last over of Day 1. Younis hits a four off the second ball and takes a single. Sarfraz plays the next three ball defensively as Umpires remove the bails off the wickets.
OUT!!! Asad Shafiq c Bess b Leach 80 (120)
Live Cricket Score and Updates: Pakistan 301/4 | Overs 85 | Batting: Younis Khan 85(143), Asad Shafiq 77(106): Josh Davey has been brought back into the attack. Shafiq takes a single off the second delivery, Younis hits him four a boundary off the fifth ball. Five runs off his over. Meekeren comes back into the attack, Somerset are hoping to take another wicket at the end of Day 1. First ball, directed towards the Shafiq’s pads and runs away for a four as Umpire signals leg byes. Next ball too on the pads, Shafiq picks up a single as Umpire signals for another leg bye. Younis defends the next three balls and takes a single off the last. Davey to continue, Younis is shifting gears now. Two boundaries off Davey’s over. Meekeren to Shafiq, not even a single run off the over. Davey continues, Younis takes a single off the first ball, Shafiq picks up three runs off the fourth ball. Good running from these two once again. Younis takes a single, five runs off the over.
Live Cricket Score and Updates: Pakistan 277/4 | Overs 80 | Batting: Younis Khan 70(127), Asad Shafiq 73(92): Leach toncontinue, a boundary to start off the over. Younis takes a single off the next delivery, Shafiq plays three dots and takes a single off the last delivery to retain strike. Six runs off Leach’s over. Bess continues, two singles off the first four deliveries. Shafiq hits a four, he is playing the shots with ease now. He takes a single off the last ball, seven runs off the over. Leach to continue, Shafiq hits a four off the second delivery and takes a single off the next. Younis plays the rest off the deliveries defensively. Boundaries are coming in every over now as these two batsmen have settled. Bess to Shafiq, two couples off the over. Leach to Younis, he takes a single off the first delivery. Shafiq plays three dot balls, fifth one drifted onto his pads. He takes a single, Younis comes on strike and plays it defensively. Just two runs off that over.
Live Cricket Score and Updates: Pakistan 253/4 | Overs 75 | Batting: Younis Khan 63(118), Asad Shafiq 57(71): Bess continues, three dot balls to start with. Younis hits a four off the fourth ball and completes his half century, he has played well today saving Pakistan from humiliation against Somerset. He takes a single off the next ball, Shafiq comes on strike and takes a couple off the next delivery. Leach to continue, Younis does not score a run off the over. Leach bowls a maiden over. Bess to Shafiq, he is on 46. Bess starts off with four dot balls, Shafiq takes a single and moves on to 47. Younis hits a boundary to finish off the over, five runs off it. Leach continues, Two singles off the first three deliveries. Shafiq comes back on strike and faces two dot balls, he hits a four off the next delivery and here is his half century. Shafiq has supported Younis Khan equally to take Pakistan out of the danger zone, six runs off the over. Bess to Younis, he plays two dot balls followed by three runs. Once again, good running from these two batsmen in the middle. Two singles off the next ball and Shafiq hits the last ball for a four, nine runs off the over.
Live Cricket Score and Updates: Pakistan 226/4 | Overs 70 | Batting: Younis Khan 49(101), Asad Shafiq 44(58): Meekern continues, a couple off the first ball. Meekeren bowls a wide, Younis takes a single off the last ball. Just four runs off the over. Bess to continue, a couple off the first ball again and then a single off the third ball off the over. Shafiq hits a four off the last delivery, seven runs off the over. Leach comes back into the attack, two singles off the last ball. Leach bowls a no ball, three runs off the over. Bess continues, Shafiq hits two four off the over. He is looking settled on the crease now. Leach to Younis, three singles of the over. Younis needs just one run to complete his half century.
Live Cricket Score and Updates: Pakistan 201/4 | Overs 65 | Batting: Younis Khan 40(81), Asad Shafiq 30(47): Meekeren comes back into attack after Tea break. Younis takes a single off the second delivery.Two fours from Shafiq, he is trying to break free, nine runs off the over. Bess to continue, Shafiq and Younis trying to keep the scoreboard ticking by rotating the strike. Four run off the over. Meekeren to Younis, another maiden from him today. Meekeren has bowled several maiden overs today. Bess to continue, Shafiq takes a single off the first ball. Younis hits him for a boundary after three dot balls, he takes a single off the next ball and retains strike.
TEA BREAK!!!
Live Cricket Score and Updates: Pakistan 181/4 | Overs 61| Batting: Younis Khan 32(63), Asad Shafiq 20(41): Leach continues, Younis hits him for a four on the second delivery. Younis takes a single off the last ball to keep strike, five runs off the over. Davey to continue, good over from him as Younis fails to find a single run. A maiden over from Davey. Leach to continue, Shafiq takes a couple off the second ball followed by four dots. Just two runs off the over. Davey to bowl to Younis, he concedes a bye on the third delivery. Shafiq hits him four a boundary on the last delivery, five runs off the over. Leach to Younis, he takes a single off the third ball. Shaifiq scores no run off the remaining delivery, just a single off the over. Bess is brought back into the attack, he will be bowling the final over before Tea break. Three dot balls to start off with and then a four from Younis Khan, he takes a single off the last delivery and keeps strike. Pakistan lost three wickets in the session.
Live Cricket Score and Updates: Pakistan 164/4 | Overs 55| Batting: Younis Khan 21(39), Asad Shafiq 14(29): Groenewald continues, four dot balls to Shafiq. Next ball directed towards the pads and races away to the boundary as Umpire signals leg-byes, just four runs off the over. Leach to contiue, just a boundary from Younis in the over. Groenewald continues, Shafiq takes a single after four dot balls. Just a single off the over. Leach to continue, and again a single off Shafiq’s bat after four dot balls. Shafiq is trying to play himself in, just one run off the over. Josh Davey comes back into the attack, a couple followed by a three from Shafiq’s bat. Good running from these two batsmen as well. A single from Younis to end the over, just four runs off it.
Live Cricket Score and Updates: Pakistan 148/4 | Overs 50| Batting: Younis Khan 16(27), Asad Shafiq 7(11): Trego to continue, Younis takes a single off the second delivery. Masood takes three runs off the fourth delivery, good running by these two batsmen once again. Four runs off Trego’s over. Groenewald continues, WICKET! Masood departs for 62. Masood was looking good but is trapped in front of the wicket by Groenewald. This is a big breakthrough for Somerset. Skipper Misbah-ul-Haq comes in to bat. WICKET! Another one bites the dust, Groenewald is delighted as Misbah plays a lose shot to Rouse, Pakistan is trouble. Great over from Groenewald as he picks up two wickets and gives just one run. Asad Shafiq comes in to bat. Leech is introduced in to the attack, a couple and a single of his over. Groenewald to continue, two singles and a couple off the first four balls. The next delivery is directed towards the pads and goes for four runs as Umpire signals leg byes, seven runs off the over. Leach to continue, Younis hits him for a boundary. Only four runs off the over, these two batsmen need to form a partnership to save the side from a batting collapse.
OUT!!! Misbah-ul-Haq c Rouse b Groenewald 0(2)
OUT!!! Shan Masood lbw b Groenewald 62(135)
Live Cricket Score and Updates: Pakistan 128/2 | Overs 45| Batting: Shan Masood 59(132), Younis Khan 10(13): Davey continues, just a single off his over taken by Masood. Meekeren to bowl a couple followed by a single from Masood. A dot ball, single and a couple from Younis. A single more from Masood to end the over, seven runs off it. Davey bowls to Masood and he hits a boundary. Fifty for Masood on this tour. Two dots balls and then three runs taken, good running by these two batsmen. Younis takes a single, Masood defends the next ball, eight runs from the over. Trego comes back in the attack, let’s hope he does not bowl any more no balls. Two singles off the first three balls. Younis hits a boundary, he is looking good today. Six runs off Trego’s over. Davey to Masood, two singles in the first half of the over. Masood hits the last ball for a boundary, he is aiming for the big one here.
Live Cricket Score and Updates: Pakistan 100/2 | Overs 40| Batting: Shan Masood 42(115), Younis Khan 0(0): Meekeren continues, five dot balls and a couple in the over. Bess to Ali, a dot ball followed by two singles. Another dot ball and then four runs to Pakistan as umpire signals byes, six runs off the over. Meekeren continues, Masood takes a single off the second ball. Just one run off the over. Josh Davey comes back into the attack, five dot balls in a row to Masood and a couple off the last delivery. Meekeren continues, two dot balls and a couple. Meekeren is bowling a tight line and length. Another dot ball followed by a four, Ali times it sweetly, 100 comes up for Pakistan. WICKET! What an answer from Meekeren to Ali. Wicketkeeper Barrrow takes a regulation catch as ball takes an edge past Ali, he has to go back to the pavilion. Younis Khan comes in to bat.
OUT!!! Azhar Ali c Barrow b van Meekeren 26(73)
Live Cricket Score and Updates: Pakistan 83/1 | Overs 35 | Batting: Shan Masood 28(71), Azhar Ali 17(37): Bess to Ali, three singles off the over. Meekeren comes back in the attack and bowls a maiden over. Bess bowls a maiden over too. Meekeren bowls another maiden over, he is having a great day at the field today. Masood and Ali going on the back foot against Somerset. Bess to continue, Masood takes a single off the second ball. Four dot balls to end the over as Ali fails to find gaps between fielders. Just four overs after lunch.
LUNCH BREAK!!!
Live Cricket Score and Updates: Pakistan 79/1 | Overs 30 | Batting: Shan Masood 28(71), Azhar Ali 17(37): Trego continues, batsmen trying to rotate strike now as they concede four runs off the over. Dom Bess has been introduced in the attack. He starts off with a maiden. Trego continues, Ali takes a single off the first ball. Two dots followed by a no ball from him. Masood hits Trego for a four and single to end the over. Bess bowls another maiden to Masood. Trego continues, starts off with four dots. Another no ball from Trego, it is his third no ball of the match. Ali takes a single and Masood defends the last delivery off the over, just 2 runs off it.
Live Cricket Score and Updates: Pakistan 64/1 | Overs 25 | Batting: Shan Masood 28(71), Azhar Ali 12(28): Another maiden from Groenewald, Masood trying not to lose his wicket before lunch break. Meekeren continues, back to back maiden over. Ali fails to find a gap. Groenewald continues, another maiden from him. Not even a single run from previous three overs, Somerset dominating. Peter Trego replaces Meekeren. Ali welcomes him with a boundary, a dot ball to follow. Another boundary from Azhar as he tries to break free. Next ball drifts on to his pads, a single as Umpire signals leg byes. Five runs off the next ball as a result of overthrow. Expensive first over from Trego, 14 runs off it. Groenewald continues, two singles off his over.
Live Cricket Score and Updates: Pakistan 48/1 | Overs 20 | Batting: Shan Masood 22(57), Azhar Ali 3(9): Van Meekeren continues, another maiden from him as Hafeez fails to find a gap between fielders. Groenewald continues, a boundary from Masood from the third ball of the over. Masood is looking good in the middle. Van Meekeren bowling a tight line and length and giving nothing away to Hafeez to work the ball into gaps. Hafeez makes a mistak, he is out. Meekeren knocks him over, Pakistab lose their first wicket. Azhar Ali comes out to bat, takes a single off the last ball. Groenewald bowls another maiden. Ali playing with caution. Meekeren continues, a couple and a single off the over.
OUT!!! Mohammad Hafeez b van Meekeren 20(57)
Live Cricket Score and Updates: Pakistan 40/0 | Overs 15 | Batting: Mohammad Hafeez 20(46), Shan Masood 17(47): Davey continues, Hafeez takes a single off the first ball. Masood plays the rest of the deliveries defensively, one run off the over. Groenewald delivers a maiden as Hafeez plays him cautiously. Davey bowls another maiden, both the openers have taken a rather defensive approach now. Groenewald continues, Hafeez times to ball sweetly for a boundary. Davey bowls another maiden, last five overs have fetched only five runs.
Live Cricket Score and Updates: Pakistan 35/0 | Overs 10 | Batting: Mohammad Hafeez 15(33), Shan Masood 17(30): Josh Davey to start off the proceedings at Taunton. Hafeez to play the first ball of the tour. Just a couple of runs off the over. Shan Masood to face Meekeren, he plays him defensively, just a no ball off the over. Davey continues, a maiden from him. Van Meekeren continues, three singles of his over. Maiden over from Davey. First signs of aggression from Masood, a boundary of Meekeren’s over. Davey continues, just a no ball off his over. Masood finds another boundary of Meekeren. Davey continues, four dots ball in a row. SIX! SIX! two consecutive maximum from Hafeez, he is letting go off the defensive streak. Groenewald comes in to the attack, Masood hits two consecutive boundaries off the over. These two openers have shifted gears now.
TOSS: Pakistan won the toss and elected to bat first
Playing XI
Pakistan: Mohammad Hafeez, Shan Masood, Azhar Ali, Younis Khan, Misbah-ul-Haq (c), Asad Shafiq, Sarfraz Ahmed (wk), Mohammad Amir, Sohail Khan, Yasir Shah, Rahat Ali
Somerset: Marcus Trescothick, Adam Hose, Tim Rouse, James Hildreth, Peter Trego (c), Alex Barrow (wk), Josh Davey, Dom Bess, Jack Leach, Tim Groenewald, Paul van Meekeren
Pakistan as they prepare for the Test series which begins on July 14, against hosts England will also face Sussex in a three-day match at County Ground in Hove. That match will be played from July 8 to July 10. The Test series against England will begin with the first Test at Lord’s, London and will also mark the return of left-arm pacer Mohammad Aamer. There has been lot of noise around his return to Test cricket and he himself is excited to play in whites for his country, considers himself lucky to playing again after being involved in a match-fixing scandal early on in his career.
The Pakistan team has been preparing well until now and the training has been going on for some time now. With a change in coach and the selection unit, this series could almost be a new start to Pakistan’s rise in the game. Therefore, all eyes will be on their players, their fitness, skill and the team’s way of going about things.
Squads:
Pakistan: Misbah-ul-Haq(c), Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imran Khan, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hafeez, Mohammad Rizwan, Rahat Ali, Sami Aslam, Sarfraz Ahmed(w), Shan Masood, Sohail Khan, Wahab Riaz, Yasir Shah, Younis Khan, Zulfiqar Babar
Somerset: Marcus Trescothick, Chris Rogers(c), Johann Myburgh, James Hildreth, Jim Allenby, Peter Trego, Lewis Gregory, Craig Overton, Jamie Overton, Ryan Davies(w), Michael Leask, Tom Abell, Alex Barrow, Tim Groenewald, Jack Leach, James Regan, Roelof van der Merwe, Max Waller, Adam Hose, Josh Davey, Yasir Arafat, Abdur Rehman
