Worcestershire left arm spinner Ben Twohig earned praise from coach Iain Brunnschweiler after picking up two wickets for the England Development Programme Under-17s side on the final day of the drawn game with Pakistan Under-17s in Dubai.
Twohig, who is part of the county's 2014-2015 Academy intake, removed two top order batsman and helped to keep Pakistan in check as they chased quick runs to set up a declaration.
They eventually declared on 217-4 – a lead of 298 – but England comfortably held out for the draw and closed on 156-4.
Twohig had conceded 10 runs in his one over yesterday evening but finished with figures of 2-66 from 13 overs.
He struck in successive overs to remove number three batsman Zeeshan Malik for 59 and opener G. Hafeez for 48 after the pair had shared a 97 run stand for the second wicket.
Brunnschweiler said: “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.
“George Panayi and Ben Twohig were the pick of the bowlers in restricting the charge, along with some good captaincy from Max Holden."
Twohig also struck twice in the final 50 over game between the two sides on Sunday to help England to victory although they lost the series 2-1.
In the three-day game, England slumped to 51-3 in their second innings but Northamptonshire's Saif Zaib hit his third half century in as many innings to seal the draw.
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.
He received more restrained support from Surrey’s Sam Curran (34 not out) in a fourth-wicket stand of 77 in 16 overs. Earlier Holden had taken three for 60 with his off-spin.
Brunnschweiler said: “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."
