In Pakistan’s three-day warm-up match at Beckenham against a Professional County Club Select XI, Saud Shakeel scored an undefeated century to help his team overcome a 67-run first-innings lead and chase down 262 on the last day with seven wickets remaining. Before the first Test match against England at Headingley in Leeds, which starts on August 19, Pakistan won handily, maintaining a run rate of 4.61 throughout the chase.
Saud Shakeel had missed both Tests in the West Indies due to fitness issues, and his previous 10 Test innings had yielded just 189 runs at an average of less than 19. On July 5, the PCB confirmed that, pending fitness clearance, he was part of the England series team. Saud Shakeel realised the difficulty that lies ahead.
What can we learn about Saud Shakeel England challenge from his record outside of Asia?
Saud Shakeel figures show a clear division between various circumstances. In 27 innings at home, he averages over 50, but in 17 innings abroad, that number lowers to 33.56, and in 10 innings outside of Asia, it falls to about 21. It will be his first chance to bat in a Test on English soil, so the three-match England series will be a true test of his technique under these circumstances.
In 2023, he played for Yorkshire in three games and scored 71 runs in five innings, which was his sole previous experience on English pitches. There is some familiarity from that little county experience, but the demands of Test cricket at Headingley are very different. Shakeel thot about what he saw at Beckenham and what he hopes to see at Headingley.
What other selection issues does Pakistan have before the first Test?
Beyond Shakeel’s personal form, Pakistan brings a great deal of uncertainty into Headingley. Babar Azam and Shan Masood both suffered hand injuries while batting during the tour, and their participation for the opening Test has not yet been confirmed. Due to a back problem, Abdullah Fazal will miss the entire England Test series, significantly taxing the team’s resources.
Despite those worries, the warm-up triumph provided some comfort. Even tho their top-order availability is uncertain, Pakistan’s batting squad can produce under duress in English conditions, as seen by their ability to chase at a significant run rate on the last day of a three-day encounter.
The second Test in the series will take place at Lord’s from August 27–31, and the third Test will take place at Edgbaston in Birmingham from September 9–13.
