Pakistan have claimed victory over the CA XI, largely thanks to an impressive bowling spell from spinner Shadab Khan
Pakistan begin Australian tour with comprehensive win
Legspinner Shadab Khan claimed three scalps as Pakistan warmed up for their T20 series against Australia with a comfortable six-wicket win over a Cricket Australia XI.
After Shadab took 3-30 in Pakistan's first match of the tour at Bankstown Oval, the visitors chased down their target of 135 with 13 balls to spare.
Image Id: 0572F2F65FD3421DBF87A3A4FBC5B7A9 Image Caption: Shadab Khan celebrates one of his three wickets // AAP
Fakhar Zaman hit 43 off 39 in the pursuit, while Babar Azam hit 34 and Harris Sohail powered to 32 from just 22 balls before being bowled by Ben Dwarshuis (2-18).
Pakistan Quick Muhammad Irfan also began the tour with a wicket on the first ball of the match, producing an inswinging yorker to bowl Ryan Gibson.
But Shadab was easily the tourists' best, after he went through the CA XI's middle order.
The former Brisbane Heat spinner had Alex Ross (17) and Nathan McSweeney (30) both caught on the sweep and trapped Baxter Holt (16) lbw to finish with 3-30 on Thursday.
Image Id: 2FB333F90AF44A61B88E7E0675B5A9C7 Image Caption: Chris Lynn's innings for the Cricket Australia XI comes to an end // AAP
Chris Lynn whacked 24 off 16 for the inexperienced hosts, with all but two of his runs coming in boundaries.
But he was bowled by Wahab Riaz after hitting him for six, denting his push for a return to Australia's short-form side.
Pakistan are the No.1 ranked side in the world in Twenty20 cricket and will start their three-match series against Australia on Sunday at the SCG.
Gillette T20 INTLs v Sri Lanka
Australia squad: Aaron Finch (c), Sean Abbott, Ashton Agar, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins, Ben McDermott, Kane Richardson, D'Arcy Short, Steve Smith, Billy Stanlake, Mitchell Starc, Ashton Turner, David Warner, Adam Zampa
Sri Lanka squad: Lasith Malinga (c), Kusal Perera, Kusal Mendis, Danushka Gunathilaka, Avishka Fernando, Niroshan Dickwella, Dasun Shanaka, Shehan Jayasuriya, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Oshada Fernando, Wanindu Hasaranga, Lakshan Sandakan, Nuwan Pradeep, Lahiru Kumara, Isuru Udana, Kasun Rajitha
First T20: Australia won by 134 runs
Second T20: Australia won by nine wickets
November 1: Third T20I, MCG, 7.10pm (Fox & Kayo)
Gillette T20 INTLs v Pakistan
Pakistan squad: Babar Azam (c), Asif Ali, Fakhar Zaman, Haris Sohail, Iftikhar Ahmed, Imad Wasim, Imam-ul-Haq, Khushdil Shah, Mohammad Amir, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohammad Irfan, Mohammad Rizwan (wk), Musa Khan, Shadab Khan, Usman Qadir.
November 3: First T20I, SCG, 2.30pm (Fox & Kayo)
November 5: Second T20I, Manuka Oval, 7.10pm (Fox & Kayo)
November 8: Third T20I, Perth Stadium, 4.30pm (Fox & Kayo)