Peshawar Zalmi outclassed Karachi Kings by 44 runs win in the ninth match of the Pakistan Super League season 4 at the Sharjah Stadium Thursday night.
Batting first, Imam ul Haq knocked 56 off 44 balls in his debut PSL match that included five boundaries and one six. The left-handed batsman was awarded the man of the match title.
Usman Shinwari claimed two wickets for the Kings’ while Imad Wasim, Mohammad Amir, Aamer Yamin took a wicket each.
In reply of Peshawar Zalmi’s 153 runs, Karachi Kings lost early wickets as Hasan Ali trapped Liam Livingstone on the first ball and then had a prized run out of Babar Azam.
Sikandar Raza was bowled by Umair Asif, while skipper Imad Wasim and wicket-keeper batsman Mohammad Rizwan put up a 49-run partnership but it wasn’t enough for the side to secure a victory.
Imad and Rizwan went through a 28-ball stretch from the end of the 12th until two balls left in the 17th without a boundary.
Hasan was exceptional with the ball and in the field. He claimed two wickets at the beginning of the second inning. Kings needed 51 off 12 balls – but the three wickets off five balls put the last nail in the coffin.
It was the first match of the tournament where a team did not manage to hit a single six.
Karachi Kings will now take on defending champions Islamabad United on Saturday 23 February at Sharjah international stadium.
Peshawar Zalmi: 153/8 (Imam 56, Dawson 43, Raza 2-23, Shinwari 2-36)
Karachi Kings: 109/9 (Rizwan 32, Hasan Ali 4-15).