BECKENHAM, England: Pakistan face a stiff final-day chase in their three-day warm-up fixture against a Professional County Club Select XI (PCCS XI) in Beckenham, needing 245 runs to win on the concluding day, with the tourists’ batting still searching for rhythm just days before the opening Test against England at Headingley on August 19.
– Dismissed for 15 off 66 balls in the first innings
– Dismissed for 1 off 15 balls in the second innings.Azan Awais scored a total of just 16 runs in the warm-up game against PCC Select XI ahead of the England series. 🤯 pic.twitter.com/4tbCtal89X
— Rayham. (@RayhamUnplugged) August 15, 2026
Bashir strikes gold, Gay endures a match to forget
The warm-up game has produced sharply contrasting fortunes for England’s Test hopefuls Shoaib Bashir and Emilio Gay. Bashir’s off-spin proved the difference for PCCS XI, as he finished with figures of 4 for 76, accounting for Imam-ul-Haq, Salman Agha, Aamer Jamal and Ghazi Ghori. His spell was instrumental in bowling out Pakistan for 238 in their first innings, a reply to PCCS XI’s total of 305.
Gay, on the other hand, endured a torrid outing with the bat. The 26-year-old fell for a duck off just 12 balls in the first innings to Mohammad Abbas, and was dismissed again without scoring in the second innings, this time by Mohammad Ali after facing seven deliveries. With the series opener looming, the twin failures will do little to ease selection pressure on the young batter.
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Shafique shows promise, but Pakistan’s middle order stutters
Among Pakistan’s batters, Abdullah Shafique was the standout, top-scoring with 61 at number three, while Imam-ul-Haq chipped in with 37. However, none of the tourists’ batters were able to convert their starts into a big score, leaving Pakistan’s top order with plenty to address before the Test series begins.
PCCS XI, batting a second time, reached 128 for 3 by the close of the second day, building a lead of 195 runs heading into the final day, a lead that has since grown, with the hosts pushing Pakistan’s target to 245.
Babar Azam takes precautionary rest after hand blow
Adding to Pakistan’s concerns, captain Babar Azam was ruled out of the remainder of the warm-up match after being struck on the hand by fast bowler Manny Lumsden on day two. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB), however, moved to allay fears over the extent of the injury.
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“Following an assessment by the team doctor and taking precautionary measures, Babar has been advised to take rest from the remainder of the practice match. Babar will participate in Pakistan team’s practice session on Monday, August 17, at Headingley Cricket Ground,” the PCB said in a media release.
With the injury scare downplayed as precautionary, Babar is expected to be fit and available when Pakistan take the field for the first Test against England, which gets underway on August 19 at Headingley.
