KARACHI: Babar Azam fought hard for Karachi Kings but Peshawar Zalmi managed to beat them by nine runs in 11th match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 7 here at National Stadium on Friday. 

Babar stood firm till the end and remained not out for 90 runs including nine boundaries and a six. But, Kings lost their fourth match in a row. Ian Cockbain resisted a bit by scoring 31 runs with the help of five boundaries.

For Zalmi, Mohammad Umar bagged three wickets while Shoaib Malik, Hussain Talat and Usman Qadir shared a wicket apiece.

Earlier, Malik scored his maiden half-century in PSL season 7 as Zalmi posted 173-4. Kings’ skipper Babar won the toss and invited Zalmi to bat first. Openers Hazratullah Zazai and Kamran Akmal provided much-needed good start by scoring 53 runs together.

Akmal got out after scoring 21 runs off 19 balls including two boundaries. Zazai smashed 41 runs laced with five boundaries and two sixes.

Veteran cricketer Shoaib Malik remained not out for 52 runs which included five boundaries and two sixes.

For Kings, Umaid Asif bagged three wickets while Aamer Yamin managed to take one.