England's opening batsman Emilio Gay was dismissed without scoring, a duck, as Pakistan launched a confident start to their tour with a match against a Professional County Club Select XI. The left‑hander’s inclusion in the side had eased worries about his fitness ahead of England’s first Test against Pakistan, scheduled for August 19, but his innings began in the worst possible way. Gay, 27, had been nursing a shoulder complaint sustained while playing for Durham the previous week. Facing the swing of Mohammad Abbas, he was caught at second slip by Salan Agha after a brief 12‑ball cameo that yielded no runs.
The early wicket set the tone for a day in which the Pakistani bowlers proved dominant and the County Select side struggled to build momentum. The Professional County Club Select XI (PCCSXI) were eventually bowled out for 305 runs. Their innings featured useful contributions from captain Tom Haines, Caleb Falconer and Saif Zaib, each reaching a half‑century.
The lower order was rescued by Matthew Fisher, who is part of England’s 16‑player squad for the first two Tests against Pakistan. Fisher added a vital unbeaten 62 while batting at number ten, turning what could have been a modest total into a more respectable score.
England newcomer James Rew, who earned his Test debut against New Zealand in June, also fell cheaply, managing just four runs before being dismissed by Abbas. Pakistan’s bowlers were the clear stand‑outs. Mohammad Abbas finished with figures of three wickets for 37 runs, while his fellow paceman Mohammad Ali claimed three for 23.
Both bowlers combined to apply relentless pressure, restricting the County side’s scoring opportunities. Fast bowler Khurram Shahzad contributed two wickets for 55 runs, a slightly more expensive spell but still valuable in breaking partnerships. In addition, Aamer Jamal and Ali Usman each took a wicket, finishing with 1‑32 and 1‑38 respectively. After the County innings, Pakistan seized control of the three‑day contest.
By the end of the day they were 44 for no loss, with opening batsmen Azan Awais (15 not out) and Imam‑ul‑Haq (26 not out) seeing off the final 13 overs. Their steady start laid a solid foundation for the remainder of the match.
Matthew Fisher proved economical with the ball, conceding just seven runs in four overs, while fellow England‑linked spinner Shoaob Bashir bowled two overs at the close of play. Both bowlers contributed to the disciplined Pakistani effort to keep the scoring rate low.
The fixture featured more than the traditional eleven players per side, as Pakistan used the opportunity to give as many members of their touring squad as possible valuable match practice before the upcoming Test series at Headingley, Lord’s and Edgbaston. This approach mirrors England’s own strategy of rotating players to assess form and fitness ahead of the high‑stakes encounters. England will be captained by Joe Root, who was reappointed after Ben Stokes retired from international cricket following the final Test of the 2‑1 series loss to New Zealand in June.
The team also welcomes a new head coach, Stephen Fleming, who succeeded Brendon McCullum. Fleming, however, will not take charge of the side during the Pakistan series; that responsibility falls to interim coach Marcus Trescothick. The three‑Test series between England and Pakistan is set to begin on August 19 and will be broadcast live on Sky Sports Cricket.
Fans can also stream the action contract‑free via NOW, and stay updated with live scores, podcasts, and the Sky Sports app. The opening match against the County Select XI has already highlighted the form and fitness of key players, offered a glimpse of Pakistan’s bowling firepower, and underscored the importance of early preparation ahead of a highly anticipated Test showdown.