Van Jaarsveld, Ontong Deny Pakistanis Victory

Van Jaarsveld, Ontong Deny Pakistanis Victory

Pakistan sensed a chance of victory late on the final day but it wasn't to be

©REUTERS / Action Images

Pakistanis 329 & 250-9 dec. drew with
SA Invitational XI 257 & 190-5
Day One | Day Two | Day Three

Ahead of their three-match Test series against South Africa, the touring Pakistanis drew their only warm-up match with a South African Invitational XI.

On the final day, Pakistan declared on 250 for nine, setting the home side 323 to win and thanks to a half-century from captain Justin Ontong, Pakistan's victory chances came to nothing.

They had performed admirably in getting themselves into a position of strength after a collapse on day one which saw them slip to 145 for six. Sarfraz Ahmed's 93 has helped them reach 329 before three wickets apiece from Junaid Khan and Saeed Ajmal bowled the Invitational XI out for 257.

Mohammad Hafeez (83), Nasir Jamshed (51) and captain Misbah-ul-Haq (55) then scored half-centuries to put Pakistan in the clear.

Junaid then struck early to dismiss Andrew Puttick for seven and when Stiaan van Zyl fell to Umar Gul for the same score, the home team were stuttering at 33 for two.

Davey Jacobs (36) and Cody Chetty (29) gave the innings some impetus but after both were dismissed by Mohammad Irfan, Pakistan sensed an opening.

It was denied them by Vaughn van Jaarsveld, who made 43 and Ontong, whose 51 not out occupied 81 balls. Unbeate at the other end was Dane Vilas on eight.

The opening Test in Johannesburg gets underway on Friday (1st February).

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