SOMERSET lost by eight runs to the controversy dogged Pakistani touring side at Taunton on Thursday.

Pakistan, who arrived in Taunton amidst a media frenzy on Tuesday, didn't name the three players embroiled in the 'spot-fixing' row in their squad as they volunatrily withdrew from the game claiming to not be in 'the right state of mind' for cricket.

The three players, Salman Butt, Mohammad Asif and Mohammad Amir, have since been charged with various offences by the International Cricket Council.

Pakistan attempted to put the controversy behind them on the field on Thursday as Somerset inserted them to bat first at the County Ground.

In front of a crowd of 4000, who received the Pakistani side politely, Somerset got off to a flying start as Mark Turner, bowling from the River End, accounted for both Mohammad Hafeez and Azhar Ali in the fourth over of the day with the Pakistan score on six.

There was further joy for Somerset when Mohammad Yousef was run out by acting Somerset skipper Pete Trego in the 10 over with the total on 42.

Shazhazib Hasan and Fawad Alam then added 169 in 31 overs for the fourth wicket to take the visitors to 211 before the former was caught by Turner at deep mid wicket for 105, having been dropped off the bowling of 18-year-old debutant Lewis Gregory shortly before.

Gregory got his wicket when he had the acting Pakistani skipper, Shahid Afridi, caught by Zander de Bruyn for two. Turner then accounted for Alam, just three runs short of his century with the score on 245.

Gregory grabbed his opportunity when he took three wickets in his final over, having Abdul Razzaq caught by James Hildreth in front of the Atkinson Pavilion off the first ball, Umar Gul caught by Buttler off the fourth and Saeed Ajmal lbw off the last ball to end with the impressive figures of 4-49.

Trego then had Shoaib Akhtar run out in the 48th over, leaving Pakistan all out for 264.

Somerset lost Craig Kieswetter for five in in reply before Nick Compton and Zander de Bruyn added 90 for the second wicket.

However, Compton was out just after making a half century, caught by Afridi.

De Bruyn and James Hildreth brought up 150 for the Cidermen in the 35th over, but 12 runs later Hildreth was caught and bowled by Afridi.

Trego threatened briefly but on 16 he was stumped off Saeed Ajmal with the score on 199.

De Bruyn brought up 200 in the 44th over before two wickets then fell in quick succession, Buttler run out and Gregory yorked by Umar Gul, to leave Somerset struggling at 217-6 in the 46th over.

De Bruyn brought up his hundred, his first century of the season, off the first ball of the 47th over with a quick single and with two overs left Somerset needed 28 for victory.

Unfortunately for the Partisan homne crowd this proved just beyond them as they finished on 256-9, eight runs short of a famous victory.

De Bruyn ended unbeaten on 122.