Shinkwin makes 11 birdies to lead at Ras Al Khaimah

But the Englishman bogeyed the seventh to dash those hopes. 

Still, he bounced back with an 11th birdie of the round by two-putting from 70 feet at the par-five eighth and led by two strokes from compatriot Richard Mansell and Brandon Stone of South Africa.

Three players — Ricardo Gouveia, Freddy Schott, Frederic Lacroix — were a further shot back after rounds of 65.

The leading Australian was Jason Scrivener, who opened up with a three-under 69, while his compatriot David Micheluzzi shot a 73.

It is the third straight European tour event to be staged in the United Arab Emirates after the Dubai Invitational and the Dubai Desert Classic, won by Tommy Fleetwood and Rory McIlroy, respectively.