SHARJAH // If England’s cricketers are struggling to acclimatise to the intense heat and humidity, they did not show it as they made an encouraging start to their UAE tour against Pakistan A.
Four England batsmen made half-centuries on another sweltering day of their opening tour match at Sharjah Cricket Stadium, including three from the champion county side Yorkshire.
Had the trio of Yorkshiremen been at home yesterday, they would have been exposed to overcast skies and highs of around 16°C.
It was the best part of 30°C hotter than that in Sharjah, but Joe Root, Jonny Bairstow and Adil Rashid – who will get his chance to prove his worth with the ball today – revelled in it.
All passed 50.
None were dismissed.
England captain Alastair Cook probably did not break sweat, either, as he made a half-century at the top of the order.
England finished the day on 286 for five.
Root said it was valuable practice ahead of the first Test, which starts in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday.
“It is good to get used to the slower outfield, not having much square to hit it into, and the heat, while facing lots of overs against spin,” Root said.
“On the back of an English summer, it is not something you are accustomed to.
“It is good to get that all on board and work on those things.”
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Given Pakistan’s senior side were simultaneously in one-day action in Zimbabwe yesterday, England might have been surprised by the strength of the second string they were up against in Sharjah.
Test captain Misbah-ul-Haq was in particular conspicuous by his presence while fielding at first slip for the morning session.
According to Fawad Alam, Misbah is unlikely to bat when Pakistan’s A team have their chance today, and was mainly there to inspire the emerging players.
“He told the boys that if we played well against them, there would be a chance for the Test match,” said Fawad, who will play a Test for the first time in six years if selected next week. “It was good motivation for the young boys.”
How much of the next generation of Pakistani players Misbah will see in person is debatable. The 41-year-old captain is likely to draw time on his career soon, possibly even at the conclusion of this series.
But if he was looking for pointers to the future here, he might have been impressed by Zafar Gohar, the 20-year-old all-rounder.
Bowling left-arm orthodox spin, Zafar picked up some prized victims in a fine day’s work, dismissing Cook, Ian Bell and Jos Buttler.
His career may barely have started yet, but Zafar is already exhibiting a clear appetite for playing against England.
It was his batting which turned the game when Pakistan’s under 19 side beat their English counterparts to reach the World Cup final in Dubai last year.
He knows the conditions in Sharjah well, too, having played as a paid professional in A division cricket here in recent times.
pradley@thenational.ae
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