Pakistan’s preparations for the 2019 ICC World Cup in England started off on the right note with the Men in Green recording a thumping 100-run win over Kent in their first tour game at Beckenham.
Imad Wasim put in a fine all-round show which saw the southpaw first register a quick-fire ton with the bat before putting in a measured bowling display.
Led by Imad’s unbeaten 78-ball 117 down the order, Pakistan posted a massive total of 358-7 in their 50 overs after batting first.
Openers Imam-ul-Haq and Fakhar Zaman put on a 92-run stand to set the tone for the day with the latter going on to make 76 (59) before his stay was brought to an end by Imran Qayyum. The left-armed Kent spinner also accounted for Babar Azam in a fine display which saw him claim four wickets in total.
However, that was as good as it got for Kent with first Haris Sohail and then Imad turning on the style for Pakistan. Sohail continued his recent good form in limited-overs cricket with a fine 75-run knock but it was Imad who stole the show with a sublime innings which included four sixes and as many as 13 boundaries.
Haris Sohail chipped in with a 75-run knock.
Sohail and Imad added 139 runs for the sixth wicket before Sohail fell in the 47th over but Imad then rained down the boundaries with more than 50 runs coming off the final four overs.
In reply, Kent never got going in the chase with their openers Zak Crawley and Sean Dickson falling cheaply to Faheem Ashraf who was excellent with the new ball.
Only Alex Blake (89) and Ollie Robinson (49) were able to muster any resistance with the bat for Kent who were ultimately bowled out for 258 runs at the start of the 45th over.
Yasir Shah picked three wickets for Pakistan but the leg-spinner was highly expensive with his 10 overs going for 90 runs. Hasan Ali and Faheem snared two wickets apiece while part-time spinner Fakhar Zaman also chipped in with a couple.
Pakistan will now take on Northamptonshire in their second tour match on Monday before they lock horns with Leicestershire on May 1. Following the completion of the tour games, Pakistan will lock horns with hosts England in a one-off T20I followed by a five-match ODI series.
BRIEF SCORES
Pakistan: 358-7
Imad Wasim: 118 not out (78)
Fakhar Zaman: 76 (59)
Imran Qayyum: 4-45
Kent: 258 all out
Alex Blake: 89 (48)
Yasir Shah: 3-90
