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Joe Denly scores hundred as Kent, Pakistan play out draw

A match ruined by rain ended in an inevitable draw in Canterbury

Joe Denly made a superb century  •  Getty Images

Joe Denly made a superb century  •  Getty Images

A rain-hit game in Canterbury between Kent and the visiting Pakistan side meandered to its inevitable conclusion, the sides playing out an uninspiring draw. Pakistan had been shot out for 168 on the opening day, and Kent ended day one at 39 for 1. Following that, no play was possible the following two days of the four-day game, rendering the match as a competitive contest redundant.
The early part of day four was unable to have play owing to a wet outfield, leaving the Kent ground staff with the thankless task of drying a pitch that was never going to produce a result. When play finally began, Sean Dickson and Joe Denly, captaining Kent in Sam Billings' absence, took the opportunity to bat against a quality bowling line-up, seeing off the pace trio of Mohammad Amir, Hasan Ali and Rahat Ali. They combined for a 160-run partnership, and Denly finished unbeaten on 113, hitting 14 fours and three sixes along the way. Dickson was dismissed to legspinner Shadab Khan after reaching 74 and another couple of wickets fell soon, before the sides shook hands after 49 overs of play.
Pakistan's next tour game takes place in Northampton from May 4 to 7, before they take on Ireland in the latter's first ever Test in Dublin from May 11.