Beckenham, July 22, 2025: Solid half-centuries from Haider Ali and captain Saud Shakeel helped Pakistan Shaheens secure a five-wicket win (DLS method) against the Professional County Club Select XI in the opening one-day match at Kent County Cricket Ground on Tuesday evening.
Due to rain, the game was shortened to 28 overs per side, with Shaheens chasing a revised target of 204. Early setbacks saw openers Ali Zaryab (8 off 12) and Azan Awais (8 off 11) fall in the fourth over, followed by Omair Bin Yousuf, who managed only 2 runs from 4 balls. At 32 for 3 in 5.1 overs, Shaheens were in trouble.
Enter Haider Ali and Saud Shakeel. The pair rebuilt the innings with a commanding 129-run partnership. Haider smashed 71 off 56 balls, hitting five fours and three sixes before being dismissed in the 24th over. With 43 runs still needed, Maaz Sadaqat joined Saud but was dismissed for 5.
With 30 runs required from the final 15 balls, Shahid Aziz stepped in and, along with Saud, kept calm under pressure. Shahid’s unbeaten 21 from 11 balls, including a four and a six, ensured Shaheens got home with one ball to spare. Saud remained not out on 72 (72 balls, 4 fours).
For the County XI, Tom Lawes stood out with the ball, taking 2 wickets for 38.
Earlier, the County XI, after choosing to bat first, were bowled out for 187 in 27.4 overs. Opener Will Smeed top-scored with a brisk 84 off 62 balls (10 fours, 2 sixes), while Hamza Shaikh added 44. Maaz Sadaqat led Shaheens’ bowling with 3 for 28, supported by Saud Shakeel and Faisal Akram, who picked up two wickets each.
The teams will meet again at the same venue for the second match of the three-game series on Friday at 3 PM (PKT).
Match Summary
Professional County Club Select XI: 187 all out (27.4 overs)
- Will Smeed 84, Hamza Shaikh 44; Maaz Sadaqat 3-28
Pakistan Shaheens: 204-5 (27.5 overs) - Saud Shakeel 72*, Haider Ali 71, Shahid Aziz 21*; Tom Lawes 2-38
