Sharjah: Ian Bell and James Taylor cracked half-centuries to help England take the lead against Pakistan A on the final day of the second two-day match that ended in a draw at the Sharjah Stadium here on Friday.
Replying to Pakistan’s total of 192 for 9, England scored 198 for 9 with the match being called off after 78 overs instead of the usual 90 in a day.
Bell scored an unbeaten 53 off 100 balls with four boundaries and a six, while Taylor hit 61 off 123 balls with six boundaries.
Pakistan’s 23-year-old left-arm pacer Mir Hamza bowled brilliantly to pick up four wickets for 34 runs. He was well backed up by 20-year-old left-arm spinner Zafar Gohar and pacer Junaid Khan with two wickets each.
Hamza removed opening batsman Moeen Ali leg before for 20 in the third over. In his next over, Hamza also dismissed Alex Hales, caught at first slip by Iftikhar Ahmad for nine.
The quick dismissals of both openers, with Moeen expected to be the batting partner for skipper Alastair Cook in the Test series, put Pakistan on top.
But Bell and Taylor played carefully and put on 106 runs for the third wicket. After Bell retired, Ben Stokes fell for a duck, missing an Iftikhar delivery while playing off the back foot.
Jos Buttler held up one end scoring 39 runs off 102 balls with four boundaries, but wickets kept falling at the other end.
Skipper Junaid had Samit Patel caught behind for eight, while Hamza had Jonny Bairstow also caught behind for a duck. With half the England side back in the pavilion for 126, it looked like Pakistan A might earn a first-innings lead.
Adil Rashid was brilliantly stumped by wicketkeeper Adnan Akmal when he missed a forward defence and Adnan also stumped next man Liam Plunkett, who stepped out and missed the ball.
It was a super show from Adnan, who produced two catches and two stumpings to follow on from his unbeaten 74 on the first day.
Pakistan A coach Mohammad Akram said he was impressed by the performance of his youngsters as they gave England a tough time. He singled out Iftikhar and Adnan for their performances.
England now move to Abu Dhabi to prepare for the first Test against Pakistan from October 13.
