LAHORE: Babar Azam scored a gritty half-century but Peshawar Zalmi bowlers’ brilliance helped the side to defeat Karachi Kings by 47 runs in the 19th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 7.
Set to chase 194, the Kings’ batters failed to get going and remained short of 55 runs in the allotted 20 overs.
Came out to bat for the run chase, the opener failed to provide a solid start as Sharjeel Khan was dismissed cheaply after scoring only 14.
Babar then looked to anchor the innings alongside Joe Clarke and added an important 60-runs partnership for the second wicket. The pair remained a touch too slow and the required run-rate kept mounting.
As a result, Clarke looked to race up the proceedings and lost his wicket to Liam Livingstone in the 14th over. He scored a run-a-ball 26.
After putting on a brief partnership with Mohammad Nabi, Babar too was soon dismissed in the 17th over. He scored 59 off 46 deliveries, laced with six boundaries.
Following his departure, the side kept losing wickets at an alarming rate and in the end, was restricted to 138-6 in the allotted 20 overs.
For the Zalmi, Salman Irshad and Wahab Riaz picked two wickets each, while Livingstone and Mohammad Umar struck out a batter each.
After being put in to bat first by the Kings’ skipper – Babar Azam, Zalmi’s openers came out to bat and provided a solid start to their side; recording an astonishing 97-runs partnership.
The pair appeared firm and looked to extend their stand but in the 10th over. The debutant – Mohammad Haris walked back to the pavilion, missing on a well-deserved half-century. He scored a quick 49 off just 27 balls; smashing three boundaries and four sixes.
His partner, Hazratullah Zazai, stood firm and went on to score a brilliant half-century. The explosive batter, however, was soon dismissed after reaching his half-century as he miscued one of Qasim Akram’s delivery; handing a simple catch to Babar.
Following their departure, the side then quickly slipped to 122-3, but the veteran batter – Shoaib Malik alongside Ben Cutting provided an important 45-runs partnership to anchor the innings.
Malik scored 31 off 21 while Cutting scored 26 off 15 deliveries before getting dismissed. Sherfane Rutherford then provided a late onslaught; scoring a quickfire 11 off just five balls to take his side to a commendable 193-6 in the allotted 20 overs.
For the Kings, Chris Jordan bagged three wickets, while Qasim, Nabi, and Umaid Asif made one scalp each.
