Pakistan quicks ready to feast on inexperienced Cricket Australia XI in final hit out before first Test

After their batsmen pounded out close to 400 runs on day one, Pakistan wil now unleash their impressive pace attack on the inexperienced Cricket Australia XI in their final hit before next week’s first Test.

PERTH, AUSTRALIA - NOVEMBER 13: Shaheen Shah Afridi of Pakistan congratulates Naseem Shah after dismissing Marcus Harris of Australia during day three of the International Tour match between Australia A and Pakistan at Optus Stadium on November 13, 2019 in Perth, Australia. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

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Pakistan’s exciting pace brigade will be aiming to make a statement when they are unleashed against the Cricket Australia XI at the WACA Ground on Saturday.

The two-day tour match is Pakistan’s final warm-up before the start of their Test series against Australia.

Pakistan finished day one at 7-386, with Asad Shafiq’s unbeaten 101 the highlight.

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Shaheen Afridi could really make a statement during the two-Test series.

Teenage spinner Lloyd Pope snared 5-100 in a strong display for the hosts.

The youth-laden CA XI will be sent in to bat on Saturday, and Pakistan’s pace attack will be licking their lips against a side that features just five players with first-class experience.

Pakistan skittled a powerful Australia A side for just 122 in Perth earlier this week.

Veteran Imran Khan snared 5-32 in that demolition job.

But 19-year-old paceman Shaheen Afridi (2-42) and 16-year-old Naseem Shah also impressed during the match.

Pakistan great Waqar Younis says Shah reminds him of Dennis Lillee.

Shah, Khan, and Afridi will get another chance to impress on Saturday.

Pope burst onto the scene as an 18-year-old last year when he snared 7-87 in just his second first-class game.

Asad Shafiq scored an unbeaten century for Pakistan.

The flame-haired spinner hasn’t played a Shield game this summer, but his performance against Pakistan is sure to put him back in the selection mix for South Australia.

Pope said he had been using his time out of the Shield team to work on his consistency.

“It’s been a learning opportunity,” Pope said.

“I can go back and play some Futures cricket and work on some different balls in the nets.

“I’m just getting myself right so that if I get that opportunity in the future, I"ll know I’ll be 100 per cent ready for it.

“I feel like I’m bowling really well at the moment, which is a good feeling, and hopefully I’ll get selected soon.”

Originally published as Pakistan quicks ready to feast on inexperienced Cricket Australia XI in final hit out before first Test