Sodhi, Southee rock Pakistan 'A' in side game

Sodhi finished with 4-58 while Southee took 3-20 as the Black Caps got a good bowling work out in the three-day game at Sharjah cricket stadium ahead of their Test series.

Pakistan ‘A’ won the toss and decided to bat but the second string, comprising some talented players, failed to stand up to some fine bowling, with only opener Shan Masood scoring 67 and Adil Amin making 43.

Masood, who played two Tests against South Africa last year and was in the 16-man squad during Pakistan’s 2-0 win over Australia, hit seven boundaries during his patient 173-ball knock.

He added 61 for the fourth wicket with Babar Azam (24) before both fell to Sodhi.

Amin, who hit five boundaries, added a further 44 with skipper Anwar Ali (21) for the seventh wicket to take the score past 200-mark.

New Zealand will play the first of three Tests against Pakistan in Abu Dhabi from Sunday.

The remaining two Tests will be played in Dubai (November 17-21) and Sharjah (November 26-30).

The two teams will also play two Twenty20 and five one-day internationals. -AFP