Iftikhar Ahmed and Babar Azam helped Pakistan ‘A’ draw the first T20 against England Lions with their unbeaten 100-run partnership after early hiccups at the ICC Cricket Academy ground on Monday.
England dismissed Pakistani openers Shahzaib Hasan and Fakhar Zaman early in the match but Iftikhar (66 from 46) and Babar (53 from 40) brought the team in a comfortable winning position.
Sohaib Maqsood followed the openers back in the hut soon after to leave Pakistan ‘A’ reeling in the face off a 146-run target.
Iftikhar smashed three sixes and two fours while Babar Azam hit six boundaries and a maximum as Pakistan ‘A’ crossed the line with an over and seven wickets to spare.
Earlier, Dawid Malan contributed 51 off 44 deliveries to become the highest run scorer in the Lions’ innings.
The left-hander from Roehampton hit three sixes and as many fours before falling out to Aamer Yamin who also showed James Vince the way to the pavilion and finished with figures of 2 for 29 in four overs.
Pakistan’s emerging off-break bowler Bilal Asif also finished with two scalps with swashbuckling England international Sam Billings becoming one of his victims.
