PSL 2018, Match 7 Review: Karachi Kings continue their unbeaten run in the League

Multan Sultan’s unbeaten run came to a close today, but the Karachi Kings are still flying high in the third edition of the PSL in Dubai. After their bowlers did a fantastic job to restrict Peshawar Zalmi to a paltry total, they struggled a bit with the bat but eventually managed to win the game. Karachi took the top spot with this win and will look to consolidate that position in the coming games.

Their decision to bat first didn’t prove to be fruitful for the Zalmi. It really was an ununderstandable decision from them especially after watching how the Evening game on the same day had progressed. Skipper Imad Wasim and fast bowler Mohammad Amir provided a splendid start with the new ball.

Amir struck twice in his first two overs. Firstly, he got the better of Kamran Akmal and followed it with the wicket of the experienced Tamim Iqbal. Afridi provided the first breakthrough after the Powerplay by dismissing Mohammad Hafeez and their innings was going nowhere. Dwayne Smith kept fighting a lone battle as he had no support at the other end.

Not one person from number 4 to number 11 went registered two digits and ideally, their team would never have crossed the 80-run mark if it had not been for Smith. The Caribbean discarded opener kept smacking the ball whenever there was an opportunity and although he didn’t have great support, he got to his fifty.

He smacked 20 runs off the last nine balls of the innings, finishing things off with some momentum. He ended up scoring 71 off 51 balls, which included 4 fours and 5 sixes. They ended up scoring 131 runs losing 9 wickets. Shahid Afridi returned with figures of 2/22, whilst Mohammad Amir picked up a brace as well.

A close, but easy finish for the Kings

Chris Jordan provided the perfect start for the Zalmi defending this low total. He got the wicket of Khurram Manzoor in the second over off the game, which kept the Kings on the backfoot. But Joe Denly and Babar Azam steadied the ship and added 39 runs for the second wicket. Azam played some stunning shots and kept Zalmi out of the game whilst he was there.

But when he fell, Joe Denly too departed and they were in a spot of bother. Colin Ingram played an absolute blinder in the previous game and carried forward his decent form from the Big Bash League. He once again got a good start, but failed to do anything significant. Yet, his contribution was crucial was far as the outcome was concerned.

Umaid Asif, who had a wonderful outing last time around, once again bowled excellently and gave away just 20 runs in his 4 overs. Although he failed to pick any wickets, the pressure was very much on the Kings all the way through the run chase. Having said that, the total they posted earlier was too low to stitch any expectations to that and the Kings, despite stumbling a bit in the middle overs, chased the total down in the final over.

Brief Scores

Peshawar Zalmi: 131/9 in 20 overs (Dwayne Smith 71; Mohammad Amir 2/6, Shahid Afridi 2/22)

Karachi Kings: 135/5 in 19.4 overs (Joe Denly 29, Babar Azam 28; Ibtisam Sheikh 2/25)

Player of the match: Dwayne Smith