SHARJAH: James Taylor and Ian Bell hit half-centuries for England XI in the drawn two-day game against Pakistan ‘A’ here at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday, to gear up for the more challenging three-Test series starting next week.

Taylor hit 61 and Bell scored 53 as England made an unimpressive 198-9 on the second and final day.

Bell and Taylor added 102 for the third wicket before the later retired to give others some batting practice. Bell hit four boundaries and a six during his sedate 100-ball stint. Taylor knocked six boundaries during his 123-ball stay.

Mir Hamza, the 23-year-old Pakistan ‘A’ paceman, was impressive in claiming four wickets for 34 runs (in 16 overs) including those of openers Moeen Ali (20) and Alex Hales (9).

Wicket-keeper Adnan Akmal claimed four victims, two catches and as many stumpings.

Earlier, Pakistan ‘A’ had made 192-9 declared in their knock.

Apart from Taylor and Bell only wicket-keeper Jos Buttler (39) made any significant contribution before being dismissed by left-armer Hamza.

The situation leaves England’s problems over top-order batting unresolved as they want either Ali or Hales to partner skipper Alastair Cook in the first of three Tests against Pakistan starting in Abu Dhabi on Oct 13.

Since the match was a non-first class encounter, Ali was allowed two innings but he only managed 11 in the second outing. His bowling being a plus point may earn him a place in the first Test.

Jonny Bairstow, who made a half-century in the first warm-up, fell for nought to Hamza, while all-rounder Ben Stokes also failed to score, his second failure on the tour.

Junaid Khan and Zafar Gohar took two wickets apiece.

Summarised scores:

PAKISTAN ‘A’ 192-9 in 87.5 overs declared (Adnan Akmal 74 not out; S. Finn 4-16, Adil Rashid 3-53); ENGLAND XI 198-9 in 78 overs (J. Taylor 61, I. Bell 53 retired not out; Mir Hamza 4-34).

Published in Dawn, October 10th, 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play