Kashmir-born Parvez Rassol made the Australian team dance to his off-spin, with his seven wicket haul for Board President's XI, restricting the visitors to 241 on the opening day of their practice match here yesterday
Australia, playing their first match of the India tour, batted for 88.3 overs after winning the toss at the Guru Nanak Ground.
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Australian openers Ed Cowan and Usman Khawaja (32) added 77 for the first wicket before Khawaja was caught behind off leg-spinner Sarabjit Ladda. Cowan was the next to fall, becoming the first of Rassol’s seven scalps.
Matthew Wade, captaining the side in the absence of Michael Clarke, hit a couple of sixes off the bowling of Ladda on his way to 35, but misjudged the length of a flighted delivery from Rasool. Wade gave him the charge and was caught at long-off by Kamlesh Makvana. Wade and Steve Smith added 58 for the third wicket. Rasool in his second spell dismissed Smith, who was looking solid on 41. Cowan top-scored with 58. The visitors lost their last eight wickets for a mere 74 runs.
Rassol, who turns 24 today, was the star for the home team, picking seven wickets for 45 runs in 28.3 overs. Medium pacers Shami Ahmed and Parwinder Awana went wicketless while Ladda took a couple.