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 win was anchored by a resilient unbeaten century from Saud Shakeel, who steered the side through the chase, while Imam‑ul‑Haq contributed a solid 80 runs to the total.
The match unfolded in Beckenham, where the tourists were set a target of 262 runs on the third and final day. Demonstrating composure and a well‑balanced batting line‑up, Pakistan reached the required score in 57.1 overs, comfortably surpassing the opposition’s challenge. England spinner Shoaib Bashir, who had previously taken 4‑76 in the first innings over 20.2 overs, bowled eight overs in the second innings for figures of 0‑45.
His performance, while not as incisive as earlier, still offered him a chance to impress the England selectors ahead of the forthcoming Test at Leeds, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. England’s potential lineup for the Leeds Test could feature an all‑pace attack, especially if they decide to recall Dan Lawrence, who is slated to bat at number six, and reinstate captain Joe Root as a spin option. In addition to Bashir, two other England Test squad members – opening batsman Emilio Gay and seam bowler Matt Fisher – participated in the Beckenham fixture, though both were released from duties on the final day.
Gay’s outing was disappointing; he recorded a pair of ducks as the home side posted scores of 305 all out and 195 all out. Conversely, Fisher made a notable impact with the bat, smashing an unbeaten 62 off just 53 balls in the first innings, before delivering a tidy spell of 1‑15 from 11 overs when Pakistan began their reply with 238 on the board. For Pakistan, the top score in the first innings came from Abdullah Shafique, who compiled a tidy 61.
The bowling department shone in the second innings, highlighted by left‑arm spinner Ali Usman’s five‑wicket haul, which helped wrap up the opposition’s innings efficiently. The tour, however, was not without its moments of tension. On day two, captain Babar Azam was forced to retire hurt after a delivery from the young Hampshire quick Manny Lumsden struck his hand. Medical staff advised him to sit out the remainder of the match, though a statement from the Pakistan Cricket Board indicated that he would resume training at Headingley on Monday, suggesting that the injury was not severe enough to jeopardise his participation in the upcoming Test.
In a post‑match interview, Babar Azam praised the warm‑up fixture, stating, "It’s a very good preparation for us to get ready for the Test. The pitch was a bit challenging early on but it improved after a couple of days. We have to prepare ourselves for the game and it’s great to go out and perform." He added that the conditions in Beckenham were slightly dry with some turn, offering a glimpse of what could be expected in England, but he acknowledged that the pitch at Headingley would present different characteristics, including more bounce. "It will be slightly different in Leeds.
We will be preparing accordingly," he said. Fans looking to follow the three‑Test series between England and Pakistan can tune in to Sky Sports Cricket, with the first ball scheduled for 11 a.m.
on Wednesday at Headingley. The matches will also be available for streaming via NOW, providing a contract‑free way to watch live cricket alongside other major sports. Additionally, listeners can catch the latest insights on the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast, and all scorecards from today’s games are accessible through the Sky Sports app, which can be downloaded for on‑the‑go updates.
Overall, the warm‑up victory not only boosted Pakistan’s confidence but also offered valuable practice under English conditions, allowing both batsmen and bowlers to adapt to the nuances of the pitches they will face in the forthcoming Test series. The team’s balanced performance, with contributions from top and middle order batsmen as well as a potent spin attack, suggests they are well‑prepared to challenge England on home soil. The upcoming Test promises to be a compelling contest, with both sides eager to claim early advantage in the series.