SHAUN Udal was upbeat despite his Test debut ending in defeat as England slumped to a 22-run loss to Pakistan.

The visitors looked in great shape as they entered the fifth day needing just 174 to win with nine wickets left - but the tourists collapsed from 64-1 to 138-7 by lunch.

Geraint Jones, with a top innings score of 33, and Udal (18) set about repairing the damage with an eighth-wicket stand of 49, but when Jones was bowled by Shoaib Akhtar and Udal followed soon after, the writing was on the wall, and England were bowled out for 175.

Basingstoke-based Hampshire star Udal said: "It has been a real roller coaster of a debut and it was disappointing to lose a game I felt we should have won.

"I felt good at lunch and Geraint Jones and myself felt if we could get the score down to 20 runs needed, we would be in the pound seats. But it was not to be, as Shoaib Akhtar destroyed Jones' wicket and I was bowled soon after."

The 36-year-old off-spinner added: "For sure, it was a shame we did not win, but I was happy with the way I played on my debut. We still have two games left and the boys are looking to put in a big effort in the next game."

Earlier in the first Test, Udal took his first wicket in Test match cricket to dismiss Salman Butt. He finished the innings with figures of 1-47 from 17 overs.

Stand-in captain Marcus Trescothick led by example when England batted as he scored 193. Unfortunately, Udal was out trapped leg before for a duck after facing four balls in a total of 418.

In Pakistan's second innings, Udal returned tidy figures of 0-47 from 12 overs. Pakistan were bowled out for 341, with Andrew Flintoff once again leading the wicket takers with four.

Despite the loss of Trescothick before the close, England looked in a strong position to win on the final day, and with Andrew Strauss and Ian Bell in good form early on, they passed 50 without further loss.

Then Danish Kaneria removed both players and from 64-1, England slumped to 117-7. There was some brief hope provided by Jones and Udal, but it was the home side who were celebrating at the end, as they took a 1-0 lead in the three-game series.

Looking ahead to the second Test in Faisalabad, Udal said: "I expect that to be a dead wicket and batsman-friendly, as they now know a draw will mean they can't lose the series, so I am hopeful that once again we will play with two spinners."

First published: Thursday, November 17, 2005