Pakistan used a warm‑up encounter at Headingley to fine‑tune their preparations for the opening Test against England, emerging victorious by seven wickets against a County Select XI. The match was highlighted by Saud Shakeel’s unbeaten century and a solid 80 from Imam‑ul‑Haq, both of which set the tone for a confident performance. The County Select side were set a target of 262 runs to win on the third and final day of the game in Beckenham. The tourists chased down the total in 57.1 overs, with England’s left‑arm spinner Shoaib Bashir delivering a modest spell of 0‑45 from eight overs in the second innings after having taken 4‑76 from 20.2 overs in the first innings.
Bashir’s figures reflected a mixed outing, but his presence in the side underscores his ambition to earn a place in England’s XI for the upcoming Leeds Test, which will be broadcast live on Sky Sports. England’s selectors may opt for a pace‑heavy attack in Leeds, potentially recalling Dan Lawrence, who is slated to bat at number six, while newly reinstated captain Joe Root could provide the spin option.
The England Test squad also featured opening batsman Emilio Gay and seam bowler Matt Fisher, both of whom featured in the Beckenham match but were released from duties on the final day. Gay unfortunately recorded a pair of ducks as the home side posted 305 all out in the first innings and 195 all out in the second. Fisher contributed a quickfire 62 not out off 53 balls in the hosts’ first innings and later bowled 11 overs for 1‑15 in Pakistan’s opening stand of 238. Pakistan’s innings were anchored by Abdullah Shafique, who top‑scored with 61 in the first innings.
The bowlers also made an impact, most notably left‑arm spinner Ali Usman, who claimed a five‑wicket haul in the second innings, showcasing the depth of Pakistan’s spin resources. A moment of concern arose on day two when Pakistan captain Babar Azam was forced to retire hurt after a delivery from Hampshire’s promising youngster Manny Lumsden struck his hand.
Medical advice suggested he sit out the remainder of the match, but a statement from the Pakistan Cricket Board confirmed that Babar would resume training at Headingley on Monday, indicating his recovery was on track. Following the win over the County Select XI, Babar Azam expressed optimism about the team’s preparation, stating, “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 have to adapt and it’s great to go out and perform.” He added that the conditions at Headingley appeared slightly dry with some turn, suggesting the ball would bounce and spin, while acknowledging that the Leeds venue would present a different set of challenges that the team would need to address in their training. The three‑Test series between England and Pakistan is set to commence on Wednesday, with the first ball scheduled for 11 am at Headingley. Fans can follow the action live on Sky Sports Cricket, and the matches are also available for streaming via NOW without a contract. Additional coverage includes the Sky Sports Cricket Podcast and full scorecards for each day’s play, all accessible through the Sky Sports app.
In summary, Pakistan’s warm‑up victory provided a valuable platform for players like Shakeel and Imam‑ul‑Haq to build momentum ahead of the high‑stakes series. The blend of solid batting, effective spin bowling, and the resilience shown after Babar’s injury bodes well for the Pakistani side as they gear up for the challenges awaiting them in England. The upcoming Tests promise to be a compelling contest, with both teams looking to capitalize on their strengths and adapt to the nuanced English conditions.