Canterbury, April 30 (TNS): Pakistan’s tour opener against Kent at Canterbury was abandoned on Monday without a single delivery being bowled. As play was halted due to overnight rain and early morning drizzle in the county.
The play had been completely washed out in second successive day in the four day warm-up game.
The play was called off by the umpires two hours before the scheduled start of the game. The Umpires waited till lunch time on Sunday before calling off the second day.
Kent were at 39-1 in reply of Pakistan’s stuttering first innings total of 168, in which Imam Ul Haq emerged as the shining light in Pakistan’s collapsing batting order with a solid knock of 61.
The 22 year old is the nephew of Pakistan chief selector Inziamam Ul Haq and his inclusion has often been questioned by many circles in the cricketing sphere, since he made his ODI debut.
But Imam’s knock was undeniably worth praising as he applied himself well in the overcast English conditions, which are always a paradise for swing bowlers. He struck 9 fours in a 111-ball innings.
Kent got an early scare when Pakistan’s bowling spearhand and star Hassan Ali got them them the breakthrough, but Sean Dickson as well as Karachi Kings opener and Kent skipper Joe Denly saw the hosts through to the close of the day.
Pakistan will play Northamptonshire in the second warm-up game before Ireland’s first ever Test Match in Dublin.
Pakistan will then travel back to England from the Irish Soil for a two Test series against England starting from 24th May at Lord’s
