In the 1st ODI between Pakistan A and Australia A, Umar Akmal smashed 104 runs off only 70 deliveries, which included 5 sixes and 10 fours.

3 centuries in 3 matches on tour in Australia - haven't seen this before!

The best part is that Umar was not up against some average second grade bowling; he faced internationals Shaun Tait, Doug Bollinger, Brett Geeves, and Jason Krejza.

This tour is not yet finished and if Umar can continue his awesome run with the bat, it won't be long before the selectors will be seriously considering him for the senior side.

Continuing on from his match saving 100 in the previous test, Umar played another outstanding knock scoring 129 in Pakistan A's 1st innings, leading them to a sizeable first innings lead.

Umar's knock was again an aggressive one as he scored at a strike rate of almost 90 with 14 boundaries and 3 sixes.

This was Umar's 5th first class hundred in his 26th game.

Not many Pakistani batsmen have done well in Australia; Umar's performance down under is heartening to say the least.

I don't remember the last time a Pakistani batsmen hit 2 consecutive hundreds in Australia - in an international match or otherwise.

Umar has done so and that too against a more than decent looking attack including the likes of Doug Bollinger, Jason Krejza, and Clint McKay.

He is definitely one to watch for the future.

He's the youngest of 3 cricket playing brothers; however, unlike the elder two, Kamran and Adnan, he is not a wicketkeeper.

He is a batsman and he can definitely bat.

Umar Akmal made his first-class debut in 2007 and made headlines in his first domestic season when he ended the Quaid-e-Azam Trophy as the 3rd highest run scorer.

He amassed 855 runs in 14 innings, but what caught everyone's eye was the manner in which those runs came - at a strike rate of over 90!

He first made waves when he followed up some well made half centuries with a whirlwind knock of 248 against Karachi Blues in the latter half of the first-class competition in 2007.

Umar ended his campaign that season with another belligerent knock of 186, also at better than a run-a-ball.

He had a below par U-19 World Cup for Pakistan last year but he was back to his best when Pakistan's domestic season started in 2008.

The reason why I am briefing you all on him is that Umar Akmal scored his 4th first-class century last night against Australia A in the 1st test that ended in a draw.

Many in Pakistan have predicted big things for Umar, claiming that he is the best batsman among the 3 brothers.

His first-class record suggests the same, but whether he will be able to take the next step into international cricket or not depends on how he continues his good run.

Umar's stint with Pakistan A down under will definitely do him good and help him further prove his credentials.

Many claim that his big runs in Pakistan's domestic circuit have come against below average bowling.

Well last night he notched up an unbeaten 100 against a more than decent attack including Doug Bollinger, Jason Krejza, and Clint McKay.

One for the future I reckon.

Pakistan A is on a tour to Australia for 2 tests, 3 ODIs, and a T20 game.

Did you know that?

The 1st 4-day test match started 3 days ago and is set for an interesting final day tomorrow with a potential declaration and a rivetting chase on the cards.

Sounds more interesting than the ODIs going on between India and the West Indies.

It will sound even more interesting when I tell you who top scored for Australia A in their 1st innings score of 399.

Jason Krejza!

Not only top scored, he scored a century - 101 of 160 deliveries with 4 sixes and 7 fours!

His first ever first class century.

His highest score in all forms of cricket before this was 65.

What were the Pakistanis doing letting a discarded Australian offie get to 101?

They had them down at 211-6 before Krejza joined Henriques (76) for a 7th wicket partnership of 120.

Wahab Riaz, who played a few ODIs for Pakistan last year, picked up a 5 wicket haul for the 'A' Pakistanis.

They then responded with 338 in their 1st innings with opener Azhar Ali top scoring with 78.

Azhar Ali has been one of the leading run scorers of the last two domestic seasons in Pakistan and has been on the fringes of Pakistan's senior squad for a year now.

A good showing in Australia will do his case a lot of good.

Azhar got good support from Umar Akmal (54), Kamran's younger brother, Fahad Iqbal (42), Faisal's younger brother, and Sarfraz Ahmed (56), Pakistan's backup wicketkeeper.

Fast bowler Clint McKay picked up 6 wickets.

I don't know much about him, but he's Victorian; I'm sure Jrod will have more information on him for us.

Australia A are on 128-6 in their 2nd innings and tomorrow is the final day - here's the scorecard.