Related Link : Pakistan in England 2006
Pakistan started its tour of England with an impressive 8-wicket win over Leicestershire in the first of the two warm up games ahead of the 1st Test Match at Lord’s. Pakistan who put in Leicester to bat first in this 3-day match had to see the homeside score a respectable 315 for 9 declared. India’s One Day discard, Dinesh Mongia remained unbeaten on 129 which had come with the help of 18 fours. He got good support from John Saddler and both of them put on 174 runs for the 4th wicket. For Pakistan, Mohammad Sami was the most successful taking three wickets. Umar Gul and the two leggies Danish Kaneria, Imran Farhat chipped in with a couple of wickets each. Pakistan were led by Younis Khan with Inzamam-ul-Haq deciding to take a break.
In reply, Pakistan declared its innings at 304 for 5 with half centuries coming from Salman Butt, Imran Farhat and Kamran Akmal. The opening pair of Butt and Farhat put on 145 for the 1st wicket and the latter was asked to retire hurt by the team management to give opportunity for other batsmen. For the homeside, Nick Walker took three wickets with his pace. In their 2nd innings, Leicestershire were bundled out for just 193 in 43 overs with Danish Kaneria picking up four wickets. Leicester wicket keeper Tom New and John Saddler scored half centuries. Dinesh Mongia had failed this time getting out for a quick 14. Sami, Umar Gul and Afridi had picked up two wickets each and Pakistan required just 203 to win the match.
Pakistan took just over 40 overs to reach the target with Shoaib Malik scoring a 124-ball 110, which also included 3 sixes. Malik had opened the innings in place of Salman Butt. Farhat and Butt, who had come in at no.3, did not score anything big and it was the turn of stand in skipper Younis Khan to knock his way to an unbeaten 55. Pakistan now play England A in a four day match at Canterbury which begins on the 6th.
Leicestershire 1st Inngs 315/8 declared (Dinesh Mongia 129* John Sadler 92 Darren Robinson 34, Mohammad Sami 3/53 Imran Farhat 2/8 Umar Gul 2/52 Danish Kaneria 2/83)
Pakistanis 1st Inngs 304/5 declared (Imran Farhat 81 retd. hurt Salman Butt 68 Kamran Akmal 62* Faisal Iqbal 40, Nick Walker 3/47)
Leicestershire 2nd Inngs 191 all out (Tom New 67 John Sadler 51, Danish Kaneria 4/32 Shahid Afridi 2/21 Umar Gul 2/43 Mohammad Sami 2/50)
Pakistanis 2nd Inngs (Target : 203) 207/2 (Shoaib Malik 110* Younis Khan 55* Imran Farhat 31, Christopher Liddle 2/27)
Result : Pakistanis beat Leicesterershire by 8 wickets at Grace Road, Leicester (Played on July 1-3, 2006)