PCC Select XI Leads by 195 Runs as Pakistan’s Babar Azam Faces Injury Setback

In the ongoing tour match at Beckenham, the Professional County Club Select XI (PCC XI) established a commanding position, leading Pakistan by 195 runs at stumps on day two. The PCC XI, having reached 128 for 3, capitalized on Pakistan’s first-innings total of 238, leaving them with a deficit of 67 runs.

Middlesex’s Caleb Falconer led the PCC XI with an unbeaten 52, while Shoaib Bashir impressed with the ball, taking 4 wickets for 76 runs. Meanwhile, England’s Emilio Gay struggled, recording ducks in both innings—out for a seven-ball duck in the second innings after being caught behind and dismissed for 0 in the first innings.

Pakistan’s captain, Babar Azam, has emerged as a significant doubt for the first Test against England after sustaining a hand injury from a delivery by Manny Lumsden. The injury forced Azam to retire from the game, and his absence was palpable as Pakistan’s innings concluded with Abdullah Shafique top-scoring at 61 runs.

Day two commenced with Pakistan at 44 without loss, but the batting was sluggish. Azan Awais was dismissed early, caught behind off England’s Matt Fisher for 15. It was not until the 24th over that Shafique struck Bashir for a six, breaking a stagnant scoring rate. However, Bashir quickly made inroads, dismissing Imam-ul-Haq for 37 before Azam departed from the field, his audible pain echoing from the pavilion.

At lunch, Pakistan stood at 119 for 2, with Shafique reaching a half-century before retiring not out at 54. Bashir later removed Salman Ali Agha for 14, with further wickets falling rapidly, including Awais Zafar for a duck. Pakistan’s innings slipped to 222 for 7 at tea, from where Shafique returned briefly before finally being out for 61, caught off a delivery from Saif Zaib.

In response, Gay’s second duck was confirmed when he was caught behind off Mohammad Ali. Tom Haines joined him in disappointment, bowled out for 12 by Sajid Khan. An amusing moment occurred when Khan requested a review for a leg before wicket appeal against James Rew, despite the absence of such technology at Beckenham.

Rew’s fluent batting and a solid partnership with Falconer saw the PCC XI close the day on a strong note, despite Rew’s eventual dismissal for 40. With an uphill battle ahead, Pakistan must now regroup and recover as they face an uncertain path moving into the first Test.

Special Credits: Image Courtesy of Espn