Pakistan used a warm‑up encounter against a County Select XI to fine‑tune their preparations for the opening Test against England at Headingley, emerging victorious by seven wickets. The match, staged at Beckenham, saw Saud Shakeel craft an unbeaten century while Imam ul‑Haq contributed a solid 80‑run knock, setting the tone for a confident performance. Chasing a target of 262 on the third and final day, the tourists reached the required runs in 57.1 overs. England spinner Shoaib Bashir, who had taken 4‑76 from 20.2 overs in the first innings, bowled eight overs in the second innings for figures of 0‑45.
His all‑round effort underscores his ambition to earn a place in England’s XI for the forthcoming Test at Leeds, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. The home side, however, may opt for a pace‑heavy attack, potentially recalling Dan Lawrence—who is slated to bat at number six—while newly reinstated captain Joe Root is likely to provide the spin option. Among the England Test squad members who featured in the Beckenham fixture were opening batsman Emilio Gay and seam bowler Matt Fisher, alongside Bashir.
Both Gay and Fisher were released from the match on the final day. Gay was dismissed for a pair as the hosts posted totals of 305 all out and 195 all out. Fisher, on the other hand, displayed resilience with the bat, scoring an unbeaten 62 off 53 balls in the first innings, before returning his best figures of 1‑15 from 11 overs during Pakistan’s opening partnership of 238.
Pakistan’s innings were anchored by Abdullah Shafique, who top‑scored with 61 runs. The bowling highlight came from left‑arm spinner Ali Usman, who claimed a five‑wicket haul in the second innings, further cementing Pakistan’s dominance in the warm‑up.
The match also featured a moment of drama when Pakistan captain Babar Azam was forced to retire hurt after a delivery from Hampshire’s promising quick Manny Lumsden struck his hand. Medical advice recommended he sit out the remainder of the game, but a statement from the Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed that Babar would resume training at Headingley on Monday, indicating his readiness for the upcoming Test. Following the win, Babar Azam reflected on the significance of the practice match: “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 that while the conditions in Beckenham were slightly dry with some turn and bounce, the first Test at Headingley would present different challenges, and the team would continue to adjust their strategies accordingly. The three‑match series between England and Pakistan is set to kick off on Wednesday, with the first ball scheduled for 11 am at Headingley.
Fans can stream the action live via Sky Sports Cricket, and additional coverage, including podcasts and scorecards, is available through the Sky Sports app and NOW streaming service. The series promises a compelling clash of styles, with England’s pace‑laden attack and Pakistan’s balanced lineup of spin and seam bowling poised to deliver an exciting contest for cricket enthusiasts worldwide.