Pakistan used a warm‑up fixture at Headingley to fine‑tune their preparations for the opening Test against England, emerging victorious by seven wickets over a County Select XI. The match was highlighted by Saud Shakeel’s unbeaten century and Imam‑ul‑Haq’s solid 80‑run contribution, both of which set the tone for a confident display. The County Select side were set a target of 262 runs to win on the third and final day of the game played in Beckenham. The visitors chased down the total comfortably, reaching the required score 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 0‑45. Bashir is hoping his performance will earn him a place in England’s XI for the Leeds Test, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. England’s selectors may opt for a pace‑heavy attack in Leeds, with the recalled Dan Lawrence slated to bat at number six and newly reinstated captain Joe Root providing a spin option.
Other members of the England Test squad who featured in the Beckenham match were opening batsman Emilio Gay and seam bowler Matt Fisher, though both were released from the squad on the final day of the warm‑up. Gay was dismissed for a pair as the home side posted totals of 305 all out and 195 all out.
Fisher, meanwhile, contributed a quick‑fire unbeaten 62 off 53 balls in the first innings and later recorded bowling figures of 1‑15 from 11 overs as Pakistan posted 238 in their opening spell. Pakistan’s innings was 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, underscoring the spin department’s potency. The visitors endured a moment of tension on day two when captain Babar Azam was forced to retire hurt after being struck on the hand by a delivery from Hampshire’s young quick Manny Lumsden.
Medical staff advised Babar to sit out the remainder of the match, but a statement from the Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed that he would resume training at Headingley on Monday. Following the win over the County Select XI, Babar Azam praised the preparatory value of the match: “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 Headingley were slightly dry with some turn, the upcoming venue in Leeds would present a different set of challenges, prompting the team to tailor their practice accordingly.
The three‑match Test series between England and Pakistan will kick off on Wednesday, with the first ball scheduled for 11 am at Headingley. Fans can watch the action live on Sky Sports Cricket, and streaming options are available through NOW for those who prefer contract‑free viewing.
Additional coverage, including the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast and daily scorecards, will keep followers updated on every development throughout the series. For those interested in following the live broadcast, the Sky Sports app offers a convenient platform to stream the matches, access highlights, and stay informed about player statistics and match analysis. The series promises a compelling contest between two strong cricketing nations, with Pakistan looking to build on their warm‑up success and England aiming to leverage home advantage. Overall, the warm‑up match served as a valuable rehearsal for Pakistan, allowing key batsmen to find form and bowlers to test their tactics under conditions similar to those they will face in the Test.
The team’s positive outlook, combined with Babar’s cautious optimism about the pitch variations, suggests they are entering the series with a clear game plan and the confidence needed to compete at the highest level.