NEW DELHI: Salman Butt struck an aggressive 83 as Pakistan warmed up for the limited-overs series against India with a seven-wicket victory Friday against a Delhi XI.
Batting at No. 3, Butt slammed 13 fours and a six off 84 deliveries before retiring when Pakistan was on course for victory.
Chasing Delhi's 50-over total of 213 for nine, Pakistan coasted to 215 for three in 42.5 overs with Misbah-ul-Haq (39) and Yaseer Hammed (33 not out) lending support to Butt.
Winning the toss, Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik asked the Delhi XI to bat first, preferring to give his bowlers a chance of striking rhythm ahead of the five-match one-day series beginning Monday in the northeastern city of Gauhati.
Vice-captain Younis Khan (2-24) was the most successful bowler of the match, being the only one to claim two wickets in the game. Pace spearheads Shoaib Akhtar and Umar Gul took a wicket apiece .
The Delhi XI got off to a torrid start, losing captain Gautam Gambhir and opening partner Akash Chopra cheaply.
Gambhir fell lbw to Gul for four and while Chopra made 16 before he was trapped leg before by Khan.
Delhi slumped to 46 for four before a 91-run partnership between Rajat Bhatia (75) and Shikhar Dhawan (52) stopped the slump.
Bhatia's 106-ball knock contained seven fours and a six, while Dhawan faced 81 balls in hitting three fours and a six over square-leg off Akhtar.
Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik was pleased at the way his players used the only warmup game ahead of the series against India.
"We had a good practice game today, our bowlers had a decent workout," said Malik.
"It's great to have Akhtar back in the team," Malik said of his fastest bowler, who showed a glimpse of his lethal form in his only one-day outing against South Africa recently.
South Africa defeated Pakistan 3-2 in the one-day series. Malik says Pakistan's team had learnt from its mistakes and promised exciting cricket during the tour of India.
Batting at No. 3, Butt slammed 13 fours and a six off 84 deliveries before retiring when Pakistan was on course for victory.
Chasing Delhi's 50-over total of 213 for nine, Pakistan coasted to 215 for three in 42.5 overs with Misbah-ul-Haq (39) and Yaseer Hammed (33 not out) lending support to Butt.
Winning the toss, Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik asked the Delhi XI to bat first, preferring to give his bowlers a chance of striking rhythm ahead of the five-match one-day series beginning Monday in the northeastern city of Gauhati.
Vice-captain Younis Khan (2-24) was the most successful bowler of the match, being the only one to claim two wickets in the game. Pace spearheads Shoaib Akhtar and Umar Gul took a wicket apiece .
The Delhi XI got off to a torrid start, losing captain Gautam Gambhir and opening partner Akash Chopra cheaply.
Gambhir fell lbw to Gul for four and while Chopra made 16 before he was trapped leg before by Khan.
Delhi slumped to 46 for four before a 91-run partnership between Rajat Bhatia (75) and Shikhar Dhawan (52) stopped the slump.
Bhatia's 106-ball knock contained seven fours and a six, while Dhawan faced 81 balls in hitting three fours and a six over square-leg off Akhtar.
Pakistan skipper Shoaib Malik was pleased at the way his players used the only warmup game ahead of the series against India.
"We had a good practice game today, our bowlers had a decent workout," said Malik.
"It's great to have Akhtar back in the team," Malik said of his fastest bowler, who showed a glimpse of his lethal form in his only one-day outing against South Africa recently.
South Africa defeated Pakistan 3-2 in the one-day series. Malik says Pakistan's team had learnt from its mistakes and promised exciting cricket during the tour of India.