Saud Shakeel’s Century Leads Pakistan to Victory Over PCC Select XI

Saud Shakeel scored an unbeaten century as Pakistan secured a seven-wicket win over the Professional County Club Select XI (PCC Select XI) in a warm-up match at Headingley on Wednesday. The tourists chased down a target of 262 after the PCC were bowled out for 194 in their second innings. Shakeel finished with 100 not out, while Imam-ul-Haq contributed 88 before retiring.

Ali Usman was instrumental with the ball, taking 5 wickets for 42 runs. Caleb Falconer was PCC’s top scorer with 56 runs, while their second innings saw contributions from Awais Haines (51) and Fisher (62*). The match commenced with the announcement of player changes in the PCC squad, with Emilio Gay, Matt Fisher, and James Sales released, and Ralphie Albert brought in for the final day.

Pakistan struck early, claiming three wickets in the first 16 balls. Saif Zaib was dismissed for 24, caught by Salman Ali Agha off Ubaid Shah. Caleb Falconer followed soon after, bowled by Usman, and Luc Benkenstein was caught by Awais at cover for just 6 runs. Despite a solid effort from Charlie Tear, who hit Usman for six, he was dismissed shortly thereafter after scoring 17 runs.

Usman then trapped Noah Thain lbw for 11 runs, while Manny Lumsden narrowly avoided a hat-trick ball but was eventually caught for a duck. Lumsden had a brief resurgence with 24 runs before he too fell to Usman, who was the catalyst in setting up the run chase for Pakistan.

After lunch, Pakistan approached their target cautiously at 19 for 1. Shakeel began to find his rhythm, hitting consecutive sixes off Albert. Imam-ul-Haq looked promising but only managed to contribute 6 runs before being caught. Shakeel, however, showcased his skill with three consecutive boundaries off Nathan Gilchrist.

Pakistan’s chase moved swiftly, and after Muhammad Rizwan’s dismissal for 22, Awais Zafar came through with a vital innings, scoring 30 not out, which eased any concerns of a collapse. Shakeel reached his century with a couple of runs off Albert, and Zafar’s final blow sealed the victory with 8.5 overs to spare, hitting Benkenstein for four through cow corner.

Special Credits: Image Courtesy of Espn