Canterbury – Imam-ul-Haq’s well-made 61 was once the spotlight for Pakistan as they had been pushed aside for a meagre 168 at the first day in their excursion opener in opposition to Kent at Canterbury on Saturday.
When a mixture of dangerous mild, which had threatened to curtail play all day, and drizzle in spite of everything compelled an early shut, Kent had been 39 for one in answer.
If Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed sought after his top-order to enjoy conventional early season English stipulations, he may just infrequently have made a greater resolution than to bat first on this four-day fixture after profitable the toss on an overcast morning.
Unsurprisingly, maximum of his batsmen discovered lifestyles tough, even with the floodlights on for lots of the innings, and Kent medium-pacer Will Gidman loved the stipulations by means of taking 5 for 47 as Pakistan had been pushed aside inside of 56 overs.
However left-hander Imam, the 22-year-old nephew of Pakistan leader selector and previous Check batsman Inzamam-ul-Haq, nonetheless struck 9 fours in a 111-ball innings.
“It was once tough to be truthful, as it was once an overly wet day and the stipulations favoured the bowlers as properly,” Imam advised AFP as he mirrored on his innings.
“However we had excellent (coaching) periods throughout the ultimate two days.
“I used to be simply looking to adapt to the stipulations as fast as I will and I used to be looking to play with certain intent — that in reality is helping.”
This was once no longer Imam’s first enjoy of cricket in England.
“I have been right here a few instances with the Pakistan Below-19s,” he stated. “The stipulations are tough, it is other, however we’re right here to win the video games and we will be able to check out our degree very best to do one thing excellent.”
Imam got here in after opener Azhar Ali (15) was once bowled by means of Gidman going for a booming pressure and may just most effective watch as 28 for one become 28 for 2 when Sami Aslam (13) was once lbw to Harry Podmore.
However Imam, showing a valid defence in addition to just right aggression, then held company for just about 3 hours and an admiring Gidman stated: “He appears to be like a just right participant.
“He shapes up effectively, his stability was once nice on the crease. He turns out to have the precise kind of temperament for English cricket.”
The skilled 33-year-old Gidman added: “A very powerful factor about batting in England is with the ability to do the fundamentals for an extended time period.
“Infrequently, in bowling-friendly stipulations like this, you might have simply were given to check out to stick for your ‘bubble’ for so long as you’ll.
“He clearly controlled to try this and were given his rewards.”
Uncapped at Check degree, Imam — who made a century on his one-day global debut in opposition to Sri Lanka in October — cover-drove two fashionable fours off seamer Calum Haggett.
He then complex down the pitch to pressure off-spinner Adam Riley for a boundary in a while ahead of lunch.
A sq. lower 4 off Ivan Thomas noticed Imam to an 89-ball fifty ahead of the bespectacled batsman was once lbw to Gidman.
Hasan Ali added past due impetus with two sixes in his 24 ahead of he was once ultimate guy out.
Kent had been quickly one for one in answer when Hasan Ali, one of the vital stars of Pakistan’s one-day Champions Trophy match win in Britain ultimate yr, had Daniel Bell-Drummond lbw.
However Sean Dickson (24 no longer out) and Kent captain Joe Denly (12 no longer out) noticed the hosts thru to the shut with out additional loss.
After this fit, Pakistan face Northamptonshire ahead of offering the opposition for Eire’s inaugural Check, in Malahide, from Would possibly 11-15.
They then go back around the Irish Sea for a two-Check sequence in opposition to England.
