CSA Invitational XI 285 for 8 (Senokwane 79, Akhter 3-51) England Lions
After Tom Lawes struck twice with the new ball, including the first ball of the day, Akhtar made the biggest strides as the hosts reached stumps at 285 for eight.
Akhtar found extra bounce at a good length and broke his century stand for the third wicket when Jean du Plessis edged James Coles at second slip. Nottinghamshire teenage spinner Farhan Ahmed captained Lesego Senokwane, the leading run-scorer in the ongoing CSA four-day series, when he took a slip-up at Akhtar at mid-on after he had added 79 runs.
Skipper Dan Mousley and Coles each took a wicket in the afternoon, but the Lions were toiled before Akhter was reintroduced in the final hour.
The 25-year-old took evasive action after making an eye-catching 73, producing a brutal short ball that Sinethemba Qeshile could only follow from behind. On the next ball, Matthew Boast took a simple catch to back point.
The four-day match is the Lions’ only game on a three-week tour focused on providing individualized, high-quality training to the 19-player squad.
