Saud expects extra bounce at Headingley

Familiar with Yorkshire’s home ground, Saud says the conditions could offer more bounce

Pakistan’s seasoned Test batsman Saud Shakeel said his century in the warm-up victory over a PCC Select XI has given him confidence ahead of the Test series in England, while the left-hander expects conditions to offer a different challenge from those seen in the practice match.

Shakeel scored a hundred as Pakistan completed their preparations with a win over the PCC Select XI in Kent on Saturday, using the game to acclimatise to conditions before the first Test which begins in Leeds from August 19.

The diminutive left-hander said the pitch had been challenging early in the match but improved after a couple of days, while also pointing to the possibility of dry surfaces and assistance for spin when the Test series begins.

“I think the pitch was a bit challenging early on but it got better after a couple of days,” Shakeel told reporters after the match.

“I am not sure what the condition will be like in the first Test but seeing here, it’s slightly dry and the ball was turning as well.”

Shakeel, who has played for Yorkshire, said he expected conditions at Headingley to be different, with the Leeds ground traditionally offering more bounce.

“I think seeing Headingley a bit when I played for Yorkshire, I think that pitch will have some bounce there,” he said.

Pakistan are preparing for a range of conditions rather than assuming the pitches will favour either pace or spin, Shakeel added.

“The way the summer is going on in the whole of England, it’s possible that the pitch will be on the dry side and you will be able to see the spin as well,” he said.

Pakistan have struggled to win Test matches away from home in recent years, but Shakeel said the team were treating the England series as another opportunity to meet the demands of Test cricket.

“Every Test is challenging, especially if you are playing at home or away,” he said. “I think the beauty of Test cricket is that it brings a new challenge every day.”

“We are trying to win and perform well away as well.”

Shakeel also played down the importance of comparing Pakistan's batting approach with that of other teams, saying conditions and match requirements would determine how aggressively they scored.

“We should play Test cricket according to the conditions and requirements,” he said.

“We will play the way we see fit and play according to the requirements.”

His century in the warm-up will provide a timely boost for Pakistan, particularly after a period in which the team's batting has faced scrutiny.

Shakeel said the side had taken confidence from its recent away success, highlighting Pakistan's victory in the second Test of their series in the West Indies.

“It was a huge boost,” he said. “When you win an away Test, it gives you a lot of confidence. That win boosted our morale a lot.”

“We will continue to do the same in the England series.”

Pakistan's players have also faced criticism over their performances, but Shakeel said that was part of the learning process that comes with Test cricket.

“Of course. That's why we come to play Test cricket. We try to perform well,” he said.

“We will be preparing keeping in mind what we have available,” he signed off.