Century partnership

Press, 29 June 1987, Page 21

Century partnership

NZPA-Reuter Leicester Openers Shoaib Mohammad and Ejaz Ahmed led the way with a century partnership as Pakistan made the most of improving weather on the opening day of its three-day match against Leicestershire on Saturday. Shoaib reached 50 from 108 deliveries, including six fours, and Ejaz, aged 18 — making the most of only his second first-class innings on Pakistan’s tour — hit a sparkling 60 before spinner Peter Such

intervened with two wickets in three overs. At tea, after an afternoon lit up by attacking strokes, Pakistan was 147 for two with Shoaib unbeaten on 61 and Javed Miandad 13 not out. Shoaib, who had made the most of the 50 minutes play during a rain-hit morning, was in particularly good form and punished all the bowlers until Such took control with an accurate spell before the Interval. He and Ejaz reached

their 50 partnership in the 16th over and the century in the 27th, after 102 minutes. Ejaz, who passed his 50 in the same over as the 100 partnership was achieved, was out soon afterwards, caught by Nigel Briers off Such for 60, leaving Pakistan on iOS for one. Such, whose pre-tea spell produced figures of 11-3-25-2, struck again within three overs by bowling Mansoor Akhtar for eight. • __ -