The four-day match between Pakistan and Australia Prime Minister’s XI ended in a draw on Saturday after Manuka Oval was closed due to bad weather.
Pak vs Aus PM XI: Weather cancels final practice match
After a massive electrical storm hit around 8pm on Friday, 55km/h winds blew off the pitch covers and exposed it to rain. Matt Renshaw’s unbeaten century (136 not out, 337b, 8x4s, 1×6) took Prime Minister’s XI to 367-4 in 141 overs after trailing by 24 runs. Pakistan captain Shan Masood was leading the batting at 391-9 when they declared. Shan was named player of the match for his undefeated double century (201 not out, 298b, 14x4s, 1×6).
Right-arm pacer Jordan Buckingham took five wickets in the innings. After the four-day game, Team Green will play Australia in a three-match Test series. Perth will host the first Test on December 14 at 7:20am PST. Pakistan enter a three-match series in Perth next week with little optimism after being whitewashed in their last five Test tours of Australia. Masood’s task is made harder by a depleted bowling corps.
Pakistan last won a Test in Australia in late 1995, when nearly half of the current team was too young, and they face the reigning world Test champions in Pat Cummins. Pakistan’s unpredictability makes them a wildcard, but their chaotic buildup to the series makes tourist support difficult in Australia. Masood took over the Test captaincy from Babar Azam, who resigned last month after not making the 50-overs World Cup semi-finals in India.
