Manzoor misses second ton as “Test” ends in draw

KINGSTOWN, St. Vincent,  CMC – Opener Khurram Manzoor missed out on his second hundred of the game as the second and final four-day “Test” between West Indies A and Pakistan A finished in a predictable draw yesterday.

The 24-year-old right-hander, who has already played seven Tests, cracked 85 in his side’s 261 for seven in their second innings before the game was called off late in the evening with no outright result possible.

Trailing by 96 on first innings, Pakistan were already 165 runs ahead when time was called on the game at the Arnos Vale Sports Complex. Manzoor, who has been in good nick this series, seized the chance to add a few runs to his overnight 66 as he eyed another century, after Pakistan A resumed at 122 for three.

However, just when he seemed poised to press on, he fell to leg-spinner Odean Brown after facing 294 balls, in nearly six hours at the crease, and striking 12 fours.

He lost Faisal Iqbal early at 142 for four, when the Pakistani captain was caught behind off fast bowler Shannon Gabriel after adding 11 to his overnight 33.

Manzoor then added 39 for the fifth wicket with Aamer Sajjad (20) but both batsmen fell with just three runs added, to plunge to 183 for six. Sarfraz Ahmed fell cheaply for 13 but Yasir Arafat struck 35 not out and Yasir Shah 30 not out, to gather crucial runs for themselves at the end.
The series finished drawn nil-all after the first “Test” finished in a stalemate.