CANTERBURY – Pakistan captain Sarfraz Ahmed won the toss and elected to batagainst Kent in his side’s tour opener at Canterbury on Saturday.

This match is Pakistan’s first of a tour of Britain and Ireland thatfeatures Ireland’s inaugural Test and a two-Test series against England.

Pakistan’s line-up featured several established internationals inwicket-keeper Sarfraz batsmen Asad Shafiq, Azhar Ali and Babar Azam, withleft-arm quick Mohammad Amir leading their attack in this four-day fixture.

Overcast skies at the Spitfire St Lawrence ground offered the promise ofswing movement for Kent’s swing bowlers.

Kent were captained by former England batsman Joe Denly, who played for theKarachi Kings in the recent edition of the Pakistan Super League Twenty20event.

Kent, however, rested South Africa batsman Heino Kuhn and New Zealandpaceman Matt Henry ahead of next week’s County Championship match away toGlamorgan.

After this match, Pakistan face Northamptonshire in another four-dayfixture before travelling to Malahide, near Dublin, for a one-off Testagainst Ireland from May 11-15.

Pakistan then play a two-Test series against England at Lord’s (May 24-28)and Headingley (June 1-5).

*Teams*

*Kent*: Daniel Bell-Drummond, Sean Dickson, Zak Crawley, Joe Denly (capt),Alex Blake, Will Gidman, Adam Rouse (wkt), Calum Haggett, Harry Podmore,Ivan Thomas, Adam Riley

*Pakistan:* Azhar Ali, Sami Aslam, Imam-ul-Haq, Babar Azam, Asad Shafiq,Haris Sohail, Sarfraz Ahmed (capt/wkt), Mohammad Amir, Rahat Ali, HasanAli, Shadab Khan – APP/AFP