By Andy Wilson
Saif Zaib, an exciting Northamptonshire batsman originally from High Wycombe, hit his third half-century in as many innings to steer the England Development Programme Under-17s to a hard-earned draw in their three-day match against Pakistan in Dubai.
The EDP slipped to 51 for three in their second knock after Pakistan had declared on 217 for six, with a lead of 298, early on the last day.
But Zaib, a 16-year-old who made his senior debut for Northants in a one-day game against New Zealand last summer, followed his 66 in the first innings by making 52 from 55 balls, with five fours and two sixes – a positive way to save the game.
Zaib had also scored 85 from 88 deliveries to set up a victory in the last game of the one-day series on Sunday.
He received more restrained support from Surrey’s Sam Curran in a fourth-wicket stand of 77 in 16 overs, and Curran was then joined by Nottinghamshire’s Tom Moores to secure the draw, with the EDP closing on 156 for four. Curran ended unbeaten on 34 from 71 balls, and Moores 16 from 34.
Earlier Max Holden had taken 3-60 with his off-spin, and tour Head Coach Iain Brunnschweiler also praised the captaincy of the Middlesex all-rounder, as well as the bowling performances of Warwickshire’s George Panayi and Worcestershire’s Ben Twohig.
“Our performance in the field was much better in the second innings, and despite some very attacking batting we managed to not let them score as quickly as they would have wanted,” said Brunnschweiler.
“George Panayi and Ben Twohig were the pick of the bowlers in restricting the charge, along with some good captaincy from Max.
“However, chasing 300 to win was always an unlikely target, so we had to focus on maintaining our positive intent whilst looking to occupy the crease. Saif Zaib once again showed outstanding footwork and approach for his second fifty in the match, and he was ably backed up by a resolute Sam Curran.”
Brunnschweiler also praised the first-innings batting of Somerset pair Sam Underdown and George Bartlett, two more positives among many from the tour.
“This has been a really stern test for all of the players, and we have ended up with a very hard-fought draw which the boys can be proud of,” he added.
“Having picked up momentum in the one day series, we were below par with the ball in the first innings. This along with some very attacking batting from Pakistan meant they gained the initiative.
“Some excellent batting from Sam Underdown and Saif Zaib, along with a good contribution from George Bartlett, meant that we were in a good position to get close to their first-innings total. However, the accuracy of the Pakistani spinners meant that once they got the breakthrough, they rattled through our lower order, conceding a lead of 81.
“Overall this has been a brilliant trip for the squad. Very tough opposition in sub-continental conditions. The progress and learning the whole squad have undertaken underlines what an important experience it is for these high potential players, at this age.”