KARACHI: A combined batting and bowling performance led Karachi Kings to a two-wicket victory over Peshawar Zalmi in the 11th fixture of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 here at National Bank Stadium on Monday.
Karachi Kings successfully chased down 148 runs, losing eight wickets in the process with three balls to spare.
The home team got off to a poor start in their chase, as Tim Seifert was dismissed for a golden duck on the very first ball. The in-form batter James Vince followed soon after, departing for 11, leaving Karachi in early trouble at 19-2 in 2.5 overs.
After early wickets, Saad Baig joined skipper David Warner, and together they took the team’s score to 42 before Baig was bowled by Ali Raza, having scored 9 off 8 balls.
Subsequently, Irfan Khan contributed 10 runs, while Mohammad Nabi added 14. David Warner remained firm at the other end until his innings ended in the 17th over, having scored 60 off 47 balls.
However, it was Player of the Match Khushdil Shah who anchored the final stages with a calm unbeaten 23, guiding the team home in the last over.
For Peshawar Zalmi, Luke Wood took three wickets, while Ali Raza claimed two wickets.
Earlier, a three-wicket haul each from Abbas Afridi and Khushdil Shah helped Karachi Kings prevent Peshawar Zalmi from reaching a formidable total.
Put into bat first, Peshawar Zalmi managed to score 147 for the loss of eight wickets in their allocated 20 overs.
Peshawar Zalmi struggled their way to 36-2 in 6.5 overs, which saw them lose Saim Ayub and Tom Kohler-Cadmore to Mir Hamza and Khushdil Shah.
However, Babar Azam held firm at one end and forged a brief partnership of 31 runs with Mohammad Haris, taking Zalmi’s score to 67 in 10 overs. He remained the top scorer with a gritty 46 off 41 balls, hitting seven fours, before being adjudged LBW to Khushdil Shah’s delivery.
Following Babar’s dismissal, the experienced all-rounder Hussain Talat joined Haris in the middle to try to steady the innings.
The duo batted cautiously, adding 37 runs for the fourth wicket before Talat fell victim to Aamir Jamal’s slower delivery. He departed after hitting 18 runs off 16 balls, which included three boundaries.
Talat’s wicket triggered a significant collapse, leading Zalmi to lose four additional wickets in quick succession, including their established batter Haris. As a result, they concluded their innings at 147 for eight in 20 overs.
For Karachi Kings, Abbas Afridi and Khushdil Shah each took three wickets, while Jamal and Mir Hamza secured one wicket apiece.
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