England Complete 100-Run Win Over PCB XI

England Complete 100-Run Win Over PCB XI

Kevin Pietersen (centre) celebrates a wicket with his team-mates on the final day of England's tour game in Dubai

©REUTERS / Action Images

England XI 269-9 dec. & 181-3 dec. (Trott 93) beat
PCB XI 200-9 dec. & 150 (Onions 3-38) by 100 runs
Tour game, Dubai
Day One | Day Two

England completed their preparations for the first Test against Pakistan in rude health after they beat a Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) XI by 100 runs in Dubai.

On the third and final day, they declared their second innings on 181 for three and dismissed the PCB side for 150 as Graham Onions and Monty Panesar both took three wickets.

Strong batting in the morning from Andrew Strauss (62) and Jonathan Trott (93) set up the declaration as the opening pair put on 130 for the first wicket.

Both men, as well as Kevin Pietersen (3), fell to leg-spinner Yasir Shah, who returned figures of three for 38 in 11.3 overs while Ian Bell was unbeaten on 12.

England's opening bowlers Onions and Chris Tremlett (three for 36) then set to work and reduced the Pakistanis to 16 for three as Onions removed Afaq Raheem (7) and Mohammad Ayub (0) while Tremlett removed Nasir Jamshed without scoring.

Usman Salahuddin (32) and Fawad Alam (51) then added 71 for the fourth wicket to delay England before Panesar broke through to have Salahuddin caught by Graeme Swann and Pietersen had Alam caught by Trott.

Swann (one for 24), Tremlett, Onions (three for 38) and Panesar (two for 46) then swiftly combined to finish off the lower order and complete a fine victory.

The first of three Tests against Pakistan begins on 17th January.

© Cricket World 2012