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Pakistan whipped again

Pakistan slumped to a 112-run defeat against Queensland today, just days before the opening Test against Australia.

The four-day match was Pakistan's only first-class warm-up before they face Australia in Brisbane on Friday and followed a seven-wicket defeat by an Australian Board XI in a one-day game last week.

Pakistan, given all three sessions to reach a competitive target of 317, after Queensland declared at 318 for five overnight, lost their last six wickets for 33 and reached only 204.

They faltered early and were 95 for three at lunch. Opener Mohammad Wasim was the first to go, trapped leg before by paceman Scott Muller for 13.

Muller, about to make his Australia Test debut, did not take another wicket and was not bowled after the tea interval.

Medium-pacer Adam Dale then claimed Ijaz Ahmed for 10 and No. 4 Yousuf Youhana fell to Andy Bichel for 17.

Ijaz became Dale's 100th first-class wicket in 23 matches for Queensland.

Pakistan plunged deeper into trouble when opener Saeed Anwar fell for 54 shortly after lunch.

Worse followed as Queensland all-rounder Geoff Foley tore through the rest of the batting. The seamer finished with five for 25, his best first-class haul.

Inzamam-ul Haq made the best score of 57. His 67-run fifth wicket partnership with all-rounder Abdur Razzaq gave Pakistan some hope of a middle-order revival.

Pakistan were virtually at test strength and only missing off-spinner Saqlain Mushtaq, who had knee surgery at the end of the English county season.

UNI