Karachi Kings skipper Babar Azam played a terrific knock of 90 runs off 63 balls but his valiant batting proved to be futile as his side had to suffer a 9-run defeat against Peshawar Zalmi in a Pakistan Super League (PSL) match that had taken place on February 4 at the National Stadium, in Karacahi.
Formidable target
Batting first, the Peshawar-side had registered a formidable total of 173 runs losing 4 wickets in 20 overs. Their opening batsmen- Hazratullah Zazai (41 runs off 21 balls) and wicketkeeper Kamran Akmal (21 runs off 19 balls) started the batting on a positive note.
Pakistan all-rounder Umaid Asif broke the opening partnership of 53 runs in the 6th over as he dismissed Zazai. The 37-year-old all-rounder eventually picked up three wickets in the game.
Later, Shoaib Malik scored an unbeaten half century (52 runs off 28 deliveries) to help his side in reaching a solid total. Malik’s innings was comprised of 5 boundaries and 2 sixes.
Australia all-rounder Ben Cutting, later, scored a quick-fire 24 runs but he was eventually sent back to the dressing room by Asif.
The run chase
In reply, the Karachi-based franchise had a terrible start to their run chase after they lost their opener Sharjeel Khan in the first over of the innings. The left-handed batter got out without scoring a single run.
Things got worse for Kings as they lost their second wicket in the next over as their wicketkeeper Sahibzada Khan departed for a duck.
Ian Cockbain (31 runs off 19 balls) tried to give some support to skipper Azam but the English batsman was dismissed in the 10th over of the innings. Cockbain’s innings was comprised of 5 boundaries.
Kings kept on losing wickets in a quick succession but Azam carried on batting with his impeccable maturity and sheer patience. But his efforts went in vain as eventually his side could reach a total of 164 runs losing 6 wickets in 20 overs.
For the Peshawar-side their right-arm medium pacer Mohammad Umar picked up three crucial wickets.
After this victory Zalmi find themselves at fourth position with 4 points after playing 4 matches. On the other hand, Karachi Kings are yet to earn a single point in the league as they have not won a single match out of their 4 matches.
