Kent vs Pakistan, Pakistan tour of England 2019, Today Match Prediction 27 Apr 2019

kent vs pak Match Prediction & Analysis

Pakistan will be looking to get off to a decent start when they take on Kent in the warm-up game at County Cricket Ground in Beckenham. 

The visitors will be looking to adjust to the English conditions and prepare adequately for the upcoming one-day series against England that starts from 8th May in London. Captain Sarfaraz Ahmed will be hoping that side can produce their best cricket with bat and ball against Kent.

On the other hand, Kent will certainly face an uphill against full-strength Pakistan side in this game. The side has struggled to produce good results in this year’s Royal London One-Day Cup. Captain Adam Rouse will be hoping that side can deliver a good performance with bat and ball against Pakistan.

TEAMS PREVIEW

Kent Preview

The home side will be keen to play their best cricket in this warm-up game against Pakistan. Skipper Adam Rouse will see this is an opportunity for young players to make an impact with bat and ball against a formidable side like Pakistan.

In the batting department, the side will be relying on the likes of Zak Crawley, Matt Renshaw, and Joe Denly to deliver runs against Pakistan.

Opening batsman Joe Denly has played for England at the international level and will be keen to make an impression with the bat against Pakistan. Denly has been included in England’s limited-overs squad for the upcoming home series against Pakistan. There is no doubt that he will determine to do well against Pakistan in this warm-up game. 

Besides Denly, Zak Crawley has shown decent form for the side in the ongoing Royal London One-Day Cup. He is currently leading run-scorer for Kent in the competition and will be keen to do well against Pakistan.

Wicket-keeper Adam Rouse, Olivier Robinson, and Heino Kuhn will need to contribute with decent scores in this game. 

Harry Podmore is a promising player who has contributed with bat and ball for Kent in the ongoing Royal London One-Day Cup.

In the bowling department, Matt Milnes, Darren Stevens, and Mitchell Claydon will be front-line pace options for this game. Left-arm orthodox spinner Imran Qayyum is a prominent spin option for the side.

Kent Predicted Playing XI:

Sean Dickson/Joe Denly, Alex Blake, Darren Stevens, Oliver Robinson, Adam Rouse (captain &wk), Harry Podmore, Matt Renshaw, Zak Crawley, Fred Klaassen, Matt Milnes, Imran Qayyum

Pakistan Preview

Sarfaraz Ahmed and co. will be looking to adjust to the English conditions and start their tour on a positive note.

Coming into this contest, Pakistan suffered 5-0 whitewash at the hands of Australia in the bilateral one-day series played in the UAE. The side will be keen to find form with bat and ball in this warm-up game.

In the batting department, Pakistan will be dependent on likes of Fakhar Zaman, Babar Azam and Imam-ul-Haq to do the bulk of the scoring.  

Opening batsman Imam-ul-Haq has been a consistent performer for the side at the top of the innings. He has scored 334 runs in 8 innings at an average of 41.75 with one century to his name. Left-hander will be keen to do well on his first trip to the UK.

Fakhar Zaman was rested for the one-day series against Australia. The left-hander will be looking to score runs in this warm-up game. He has struggled to produce runs with the bat so far this season and has scored 167 runs in 5 innings at an average of 33.40.

Mohammad Rizwan and Haris Sohail certainly scored a lot of runs in the one-day series played against Australia in the UAE. The duo will be keen to continue their rich vein of form in this warm-up game.

In the bowling department, Hasan Ali and Shahid Shah Afridi will be looking to make early inroads with the new ball in this game. Junaid Khan and Mohammad Hasnain have also done well for Pakistan in limited-overs cricket.

Pakistan Predicted Playing XI:

Sarfaraz Ahmed (captain & wk), Imam-ul-Haq, Fakhar Zaman, Mohammad Rizwan, Haris Sohail, Shoaib Malik, Mohammad Hafeez, Junaid Khan, Mohammad Hasnain, Hasan Ali, Shaheen Shah Afridi

Weather Conditions

The wicket prepared for the warm-up game will be excellent for batting. The quick bowlers might get a bounce and carry from the surface. The weather forecast for the game on Saturday is sunny intervals with a moderate breeze.

Venue

The Kent County Cricket Ground in Beckenham is one of the lesser-known venues in the United Kingdom. The venue has hosted a lot of domestic games in the past. Kent will be looking to do well in front of home crowds against Pakistan.

Toss: To Bowl

The side that wins the toss would be keen to bowl first and make early inroads with the new-ball. The fresh surface will provide lateral movement for the quick bowlers in the initial Powerplay overs. The slow bowlers will have to work hard on this placid surface.