Pakistan arrived at Headingley on Wednesday ready to fine‑tune their game ahead of the opening Test against England, and they did just that by cruising to a seven‑wicket triumph over a County Select XI. The standout performances came from Saud Shakeel, who compiled an unbeaten century, and Imam‑ul‑Haq, who contributed a solid 80 runs.
Their partnership set the tone for a dominant display that gave the touring side confidence before the high‑stakes series. The match, played in Beckenham, saw the visitors set a target of 262 runs for the home side to chase on the third and final day.
England’s chase was comfortably achieved in 57.1 overs, with the visitors' bowlers keeping the pressure on. Notably, England spinner Shoaib Bashir, who had earlier taken 4‑76 in 20.2 overs, returned for the second innings and recorded figures of 0‑45 from eight overs.
Bashir is eager to earn a spot in the England XI for the Leeds Test, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. However, the hosts may opt for an all‑pace attack, potentially recalling Dan Lawrence, who is slated to bat at number six, while captain Joe Root could provide the spin option. Other members of the England Test squad who featured in the Beckenham game included opening batsman Emilio Gay and seam bowler Matt Fisher, alongside Bashir. Gay was dismissed for a pair, while the hosts posted totals of 305 all out and 195 all out.
Fisher, on the other hand, made a valuable contribution with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 62 off 53 balls in the first innings, and later bowled 11 overs for 1‑15 as Pakistan posted 238 in their opening spell. Pakistan’s innings were anchored by Abdullah Shafique, who top‑scored with 61 runs. The bowling department shone as well, highlighted by left‑arm spinner Ali Usman, who claimed a five‑wicket haul in the second innings, underlining the depth of Pakistan’s spin options. The tour did encounter a moment of concern on day two when captain Babar Azam was forced to retire hurt after a delivery from Hampshire’s promising fast bowler Manny Lumsden struck his hand.
Medical advice recommended he sit out the remainder of the match, but a statement from the Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed that Babar would resume training at Headingley on Monday, indicating that the injury was not deemed serious. In a post‑match interview, Babar Azam reflected on the significance of the warm‑up win: "It’s a very good preparation for us to get ready for the Test. The pitch was a bit challenging early on but improved after a couple of days.
We need to adapt and it’s great to go out and perform." He added insights about the conditions they might face in Leeds: "I’m not sure what the conditions will be like in the first Test, but here the surface was slightly dry and the ball was turning. That pitch will have some bounce as well. It will be slightly different in Leeds, and we will be preparing accordingly." The upcoming three‑Test series between England and Pakistan will kick off at Headingley with the first ball scheduled for 11 am on Wednesday, and it will be streamed live on Sky Sports Cricket. Fans can also follow the action via NOW, which offers contract‑free streaming of cricket and other top‑level sports.
For those who prefer audio, the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast provides in‑depth analysis and commentary. Beyond the immediate match details, the warm‑up fixture serves a broader purpose for both sides. For Pakistan, it offers a chance to assess the form of key players, experiment with batting orders, and gauge the effectiveness of their spin attack on English pitches. For England, the game provides a platform to evaluate fringe players like Bashir and Lawrence, while also allowing established stars such as Root to fine‑tune their strategies.
The performance of Saud Shakeel, who remained unbeaten on his hundred, will be closely watched. His ability to anchor an innings and accelerate when needed could prove vital in the longer format, especially on pitches that offer assistance to both seamers and spinners. Imam‑ul‑Haq’s 80 also signals that the middle order possesses the resilience required to handle pressure situations. From a tactical standpoint, the success of Ali Usman’s five‑wicket haul highlights Pakistan’s growing confidence in their spin resources.
English conditions have traditionally favored seam bowling, but recent seasons have seen spinners playing a more prominent role, particularly on worn or dry surfaces. Usman’s performance suggests that Pakistan may rely more heavily on spin as the series progresses.
In summary, the warm‑up win not only boosts Pakistan’s morale but also provides a clear snapshot of the strengths and areas for improvement ahead of the high‑profile Test series. With Babar Azam expected to return to full fitness and the squad fine‑tuning their game plans, the stage is set for a compelling contest between two cricketing nations eager to claim supremacy on English soil.