Pakistan kicked off their tour of Australia yesterday with a wretched batting performance in a 52-run defeat by Australia A at the WACA in Perth.

The Pakistanis, preparing for this month's triangular limited overs series with Australia and India, collapsed to 82 for six as they chased 282.

Azhar Mahmood spared some of their blushes with a defiant unbeaten 100 but the touring team were bowled out for 229 in 41.5 overs in reply to the Australians' 281 for nine.