Pakistan completed a seven-wicket victory over a County Select XI in their final preparation match before facing England in the opening Test of a three-match series. Chasing 262 runs on the final day, the touring side reached their target in 57.1 overs. Saud Shakeel remained unbeaten on 100 while Imam-ul-Haq contributed 80 runs to secure the win.
England spinner Shoaib Bashir was among the players representing the home side in the match. Bashir took 4-76 in Pakistan’s first innings of 238 all out but went wicketless in the second innings with figures of 0-45 from eight overs. The County Select XI produced totals of 305 and 195 in their two innings. Batter Emilio Gay registered a pair while seam bowler Matt Fisher scored 62 not out in the first innings and took 1-15 in the field during Pakistan’s opening knock.
Pakistan’s Abdullah Shafique top-scored in the first innings with 61 runs. Left-arm spinner Ali Usman impressed with a five-wicket haul in the second innings. The visitors experienced a concern when captain Babar Azam retired hurt after being struck on the hand by Hampshire bowler Manny Lumsden during the second day’s play. A Pakistan Cricket Board statement confirmed Azam would train at Headingley on Monday ahead of the Test.
Azam assessed the pitch conditions following the victory, noting that the surface presented challenges early before improving over subsequent days. He indicated Pakistan would prepare for potentially different conditions at Headingley, where he expected the pitch to have more bounce than what was observed in the warm-up fixture. The first Test against England at Headingley begins from Wednesday.
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