Another competitive target match was contested between the batsmen and bowlers on the fifth day of the conditioning camp at Abbottabad

By Farid Khan (7th May, 2013)

Another competitive target match was contested between the batsmen and bowlers on the fifth day of the conditioning camp at Abbottabad Cricket Stadium. The match was played with the aim of focusing the players on their priorities and provide another opportunity to sample, albeit simulated, a match situation in the roles they will be fulfilling in Scotland, Ireland and in England over the next couple of months.

It's an odd situation watching players who will be playing on the same side compete against each other, one that's fraught with mixed emotions, summed up perfectly by the first few overs. Celebrate the bowlers taking wickets, or lament the batsmen struggling? Fans often wonder why Pakistani batsmen are not adept at facing quality bowling given the riches they face in the nets, and the answer, at least today, won't fill anyone with confidence as Pakistan's top order was put to the sword.

Imran Farhat fell to Junaid Khan in the second over, caught behind by Kamran Akmal. Farhat didn't look too amused by the decision and walked back to the pavillion muttering about the umpire. Junaid struck again in the fourth over and this time the victim was Pakistan's T20I captain Mohammad Hafeez.

Wickets fell at regular intervals after that as Asad Shafiq and Misbah-ul-Haq followed the first two, dismissed by Wahab Riaz and Asad Ali, respectively. Nasir Jamshed showed some resistance and batted bravely, but fell at the hands of Wahab Riaz after scoring 22 runs.

The scorecard in tatters at 71/5, Pakistan's experienced campaigners Kamran Akmal and Shoaib Malik found themselves in the middle earlier than they would have liked. They initially looked hesitant but runs started to flow as they occupied the crease.

Junaid Khan was brought back in the 33rd over and he struck again, dismissing Kamran Akmal for 66 and breaking a 94-run partnership. Shoaib Malik continued to play his natural game and Wahab Riaz, who came into bat at eight, put yesterday's net practice to good use by providing him with good support through some deft improvisation. Shoaib Malik finished with an excellent 92 runs, rescuing the side from the early collapse.

Shoaib Malik, who was scheduled to speak to the press, couldn't do so as he hadn't been dismissed by the scheduled time, a motivation as good as any for a player! Imran Farhat however had plenty of time to speak to the media. "The reason we came to Abbottabad was to prepare ourselves for the conditions ahead in England. We are putting in a lot of effort in this camp and we have some experienced coaches like Javed Miandad who are working with us.” Farhat scored 93 in Durban against South Africa indicated conditions in South Africa are very much different to England "There is no similarity between South Africa and England. As I said before, we are here in Abbottabad as we feel conditions are similar. Here the ball is swinging and there is bounce in the pitch. Also the weather is similar to England in the summer. So the idea was to help us adapt to English conditions as well as to type of pitches we can expect. The pitches are difficult to play on and the boys are putting in a lot of effort to get runs. Its not easy to play shots with freedom on these pitches. We have utilised the opportunity to play on such pitches as much as we can."

Tomorrow will be the last day of the six-day conditioning camp and the players will go through their final drills in a bid to give their preparations for the upcoming European tour a last touch. Captain, Misbah-ul-Haq, will talk to the press regarding the preparations, Pakistan's chances and on various issues.