England opening batter Emilio Gay was out for a duck as Pakistan made a strong start to their tour against a Professional County Club Select XI.
Concerns over Gay’s fitness for England’s first Test against Pakistan, which starts on August 19, were allayed by the left-hander’s inclusion for the game at Beckenham, but he made the worst possible start.
The 27-year-old, who had suffered a shoulder issue playing for Durham last week, was caught off the bowling of Mohammad Abbas by Salan Agha at second slip, having failed to score from his 12 balls faced.
PCCSXI would go on to be bowled out for 305, with captain Tom Haines, Caleb Falconer and Saif Zaib contributing half-centuries before Matthew Fisher, who is in England’s 16-player squad for the first two Tests against Pakistan, made a crucial unbeaten 62 batting at 10.
James Rew, who made his England Test debut against New Zealand in June, was also dismissed cheaply as he fell for just four to Abbas.
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Abbas (3-37) and Mohammad Ali (3-23) were the pick of the Pakistan bowlers, while Khurram Shahzad (2-55) also chipped with a couple of wickets despite being more expensive.
There was also a wicket apiece for Aamer Jamal (1-32) and Ali Usman (1-38).
Pakistan then put themselves in a strong position in the three-day contest by reaching 44-0 at the close, with Azan Awais (15*) and Imam-ul-Haq (26*) seeing out the final 13 overs of the day.
Fisher was economical as he went for just seven runs from his four overs, while the other PCCSXI player who is in England’s Test squad, spinner Shoaib Bashir, bowled two overs at the end of the day.
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Both sides are fielding more than XI players in the match, with Pakistan attempting to give as many of their touring squad as possible match practice ahead of Tests at Headingley, Lord’s and Edgbaston.
England will be led captained by Joe Root following his reappointment as captain after Ben Stokes retired from international cricket during the final Test of the 2-1 series defeat to New Zealand in June.
England also have a new head coach in Stephen Fleming, who has replaced Brendon McCullum but is not taking charge of the side during the Pakistan series, for which Marcus Trescothick will be in interim charge.
England vs Pakistan Test series fixtures
First Test (Headingley) – Wednesday August 19 – Sunday August 23 (first ball 11am)Second Test (Lord’s) – Thursday August 27 – Monday August 31 (first ball 11am)Third Test (Edgbaston) – Wednesday September 9 – Sunday September 13 (first ball 11am)
Watch the three-Test series between England and Pakistan live on Sky Sports Cricket from August 19. Stream cricket and more sport contract-free with NOW.
