Defending an ordinary total of 243, England survived an explosive innings of 93 from 71 balls from Rizwan Cheema to secure a 16 run victory at the Khan Shaheb Osman Ali Stadium, Fatullah. After a disastrous Canadian top order collapse, Cheema, who looked like he was batting on a track entirely different from the others, forged two half century partenerships with Zubin Surkari (22) and Khurram Chohan (44). This was followed by some lower order resistance led by Chohan that pushed England towards the jaws of defeat. None of the other Canadian batsmen proved good enough against Stuart Broad & Co., on a wicket that aided seamers, as the team was bowled out for 227 in 46.1 overs.

Shehzad and Broad bowled a fiery first spell that saw the minnows slump to 28/5 in 7.1 overs before the Cheema fireworks began. Disappointingly, he failed to register a century as Broad got his revenge after being smashed for a few boundaries in his previous overs. Cheema’s bludgeoning innings included 10 fours and 5 sixes and his dismissal with the score at 156 should have spelt the end for Canada’s fightback. The bowlers though, led by Khurram Chohan, put up a great effort and took Canada within sniffing distance of a victory but Broad, who was in ominous form with the ball today, came back to trap Chohan in front of the wicket to complete a 5-for and secure an English victory.

Earlier, England who took a failed gamble of opening with Kevin Pietersen, provided critics with plenty of fuel for South Africans-save-England jokes as Jonathan Trott, Pietersen and Matt Prior were the only three players in the top eight to reach double figures. The rest of the batsmen, including the all rounders, looked clueless against Khurram Chohan’s pace and Harvir Baidwan’s military medium attack.

With England at 86/4, Trott and Prior put together a 54 run partnership before Trott got out to Davison, who was otherwise ineffective and expensive. The aforementioned partnership along with the tail’s resistance saw England limp to 243 all out in 49.4 overs and that was just enough to secure a win against the minnows.

While England has technically defeated Canada, this match will only further the doubts cast on their batting line up. Canada, who will feel they have gathered the necessary momentum, will be buoyed by their bowling performance, but the batsman will need to understand the importance of dropping anchor, giving the likes of Cheema and Davison decide to go about their business. While both the teams will be happy with their bowling performances, they will have to give thought to the art of striking with the old ball.

England have one more warm-up game in which to iron out their flaws as they take on mighty Pakistan on 18th February. Canada on the other hand jump straight into the thick of the action against co-hosts Sri Lanka on Sunday.

Mini Scorecard:

England 243 all out in 49.4 overs (4.89 runs per over)
Matt Prior 78 (80) Khurram Chohan 3/34
Jonathan Trott 57 (81) Harvir Singh Baidwan 3/50

Canada 227 all out in 46.1 overs (4.91 rpo)
Rizwan Cheema 93 (71) Stuart Broad 5/37
Khurram Chohan 44 (74) Shahzad 2/44