Asif Ali reacts after 95-run knock during intra-squad match

Pakistan’s middle-order batsman Asif Ali is hopeful of playing a key role in the upcoming series against South Africa, after scoring 95 runs during the second intra-squad practice match on Wednesday at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.

Chasing a revised target of 320 in 50 overs, Ali nearly got Team White over the line, against Team Green, despite his team being 151/5 in 26 overs at one stage of the innings.

Team White were dismissed for 317 in 47.5 overs, losing the match by two runs, with other major contributions coming from Abdullah Shafique (62) and Usman Qadir (53).  

“I’m happy with the way I played today. Misbah bhai has told us to play these practice matches like international matches so that we are fully prepared for South Africa series,” said Ali.

“Hopefully I can lead my team to victory during series against South Africa,” he added.

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Haris Rauf, Mohammad Nawaz and Shaheen Afridi claimed three wickets each for Team Green.

Earlier, for Team Green, wicketkeeper-batsman Mohammad Rizwan scored 112 runs while opener Fakhar Zaman scored 58 runs. Skipper Babar Azam contributed with 48 runs. Team Green scored 356/8 in 50 overs.

Veteran all-rounder Mohammad Hafeez claimed 2 wickets for 18 runs for Team White.