Pakistan arrived in England ready to fine‑tune their game before the opening Test at Headingley, and they did so with a convincing seven‑wicket triumph over a County Select XI. The match, played at Beckenham, saw Saud Shakeel craft an unbeaten century while his teammate Imam‑ul‑Haq contributed a solid 80 runs, setting a formidable total for the visitors.
The County side were set a target of 262 runs to win on the final day. They managed to chase the score down in 57.1 overs, a chase that was anchored by England spinner Shoaib Bashir, who bowled eight overs in the second innings for just 45 runs after an impressive 4‑76 from 20.2 overs in the first innings. Bashir’s economical spell helped keep the pressure on the hosts and demonstrated his potential for selection in the England side for the forthcoming Test at Leeds, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. England’s selectors are still weighing their options for the Leeds encounter.
While they may opt for a pace‑heavy attack, they could also recall Dan Lawrence, who is expected to bat at number six, and lean on newly reinstated captain Joe Root to provide spin options. The England Test squad also includes opening batsman Emilio Gay and seam bowler Matt Fisher, both of whom featured in the Beckenham match before being rested on the final day.
Gay, unfortunately, did not make an impact with the bat, recording a pair as the home side posted scores of 305 all out and 195 all out. Fisher, however, made a notable contribution with the bat, striking an unbeaten 62 from 53 deliveries in the first innings, and later delivering a tidy spell of 1‑15 from 11 overs as Pakistan’s opening partnership of 238 was dismantled. Pakistan’s innings were anchored by Abdullah Shafique, who top‑scored with 61 runs in the first innings. The bowling highlight came from left‑arm spinner Ali Usman, who claimed a five‑wicket haul in the second innings, underlining the depth of Pakistan’s spin resources.
The tour was not without drama. On day two, captain Babar Azam was forced to retire hurt after a delivery from Hampshire’s young quick Manny Lumsden struck his hand. The incident raised concerns, but a statement from the Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed that Babar would resume training at Headingley on Monday, after being advised to rest for the remainder of the match. Following the victory over the County Select XI, Babar Azam expressed optimism about the team’s preparation: "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 adapt and it’s great to go out and perform." He added that while the conditions at Beckenham were slightly dry with some turn, the pitch at Headingley would likely offer more bounce, requiring the team to adjust their strategies accordingly. The upcoming three‑Test series between England and Pakistan will be televised live on Sky Sports Cricket, beginning with the first ball at 11 a.m.
on Wednesday at Headingley. Fans can also stream the action via NOW and stay updated with the latest scores, podcasts, and analysis through the Sky Sports app. In summary, Pakistan’s warm‑up win not only boosted their confidence but also provided valuable insights into player form and pitch behaviour ahead of the high‑stakes Test series. With key batsmen like Shakeel and Imam‑ul‑Haq finding rhythm, and bowlers such as Ali Usman delivering match‑winning spells, the visitors appear well‑prepared to challenge England on the historic grounds of Leeds.
The series promises to be a compelling contest of skill, strategy, and adaptability, with both sides eager to claim early dominance in what is set to be a closely fought three‑match battle.