Twitter Reactions: Babar, Livingtone and Amir script close win for Karachi Kings

After a riveting tournament opener yesterday, the fourth edition of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) was a witness to another jaw-dropping encounter between the Multan Sultans and Karachi Kings at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium. Both the teams went through a roller-coaster ride, but in the end, Imad Wasim’s Karachi Kings emerged victorious by seven runs.

Azam and Livingstone dictate terms

The Kings won the toss and elected to bat first and the decision turned out to be a master-stroke as their openers Babar Azam and Liam Livingstone kept the Sultans’ bowlers at bay for a significant amount of time. The duo cobbled together an incredible partnership of 157 runs from 94 deliveries to lay the platform for a blistering finish. Livingstone went on to notch 82 runs off 43 balls.

The Englishman’s knock was laced with six boundaries and as many hits over the ropes. Off-spinner Chris Green removed him to separate the duo. Azam also ended with 77 well-compiled runs from 59 balls with six fours and a six. However, the Kings couldn’t quite find the boundaries and lost wickets in heaps. After the stupendous opening stand, Karachi could only score only 26 runs at a run-a-ball.

Sultans fall short

The run-chase didn’t start on a great note for the Sultans as Mohammad Amir nipped out Tom Moores for one. Thereafter, left-handed Shan Masood and Laurie Evans put their heads down and added 47 runs off 39 balls for the second wicket. Spinner Umer Khan got rid of Masood for 20. The onus was then on Evans and the very experienced Shoaib Malik to get the team close to a victory.

Following a 72-run stand, Evans succumbed to a run-out after getting 49 from 39 balls. Malik went hammer and tongs and notched 52 runs off 28 balls with two sixes and five fours. Andre Russell perished after hitting a 108-metre six. Shahid Afridi and Hammad Azam scored quick-fire 14 and 12 to get the Sultans close, however, they weren’t enough to get Multan over the finishing line.

Here is how Twitter praised the Kings  

Great to see Liam Livingstone hit the ground running in the PSL. With Steve Smith injured @rajasthanroyals should look to Livingstone to take his place in the side #IPL #PSL19 https://t.co/UJOunn0mZh

— Warren Tarling (@wozzajt) February 15, 2019

Look at me the way this girl is looking at Liam Livingstone and i'm all yours.#PSL4 pic.twitter.com/B5uYfLR5qf

— M. (@Madhoo_0) February 15, 2019

Liam Livingstone 👌👌 Waiting for his IPL debut.

— Kishore Subramaniyam (@MedSklSurvivor) February 15, 2019

Liam Livingstone's 82 today for Karachi Kings is the second highest score by a PSL debutant. Highest: 86 by Luke Wright in the maiden edition in 2016. #KhelDeewanoKa

— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) February 15, 2019

Mickey gave me a free role and thats how i play back in England – Liam Livingstone.

— M. Sarosh Ebrahim (@msarosh) February 15, 2019

34 runs in last 5 overs but still above par score by Karachi Kings in a day game all down to Liam Livingstone.

— M. Sarosh Ebrahim (@msarosh) February 15, 2019

Batting coach Faisal Iqbal giving Liam Livingstone Shabashi.

— M. Sarosh Ebrahim (@msarosh) February 15, 2019

What a knock Liam Livingstone

— Jamza Fehed (@Salahsfaction) February 15, 2019

Liam Livingstone's backlift is very interesting. Quite a brilliant striker of the ball. Remember his Championship double ton for Lancashire against Warwickshire in 2017. #PSL4

— Rohit Sankar (@imRohit_SN) February 15, 2019

Liam Livingstone has just smashed 82 off 43 balls for Karachi Kings vs Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League.

His innings included 6 fours and 6 sixes.

A stunning T20 knock.#MSvKK pic.twitter.com/ekLMnFAqmv

— bet365 (@bet365) February 15, 2019

Brilliant inning on debut PSL
Liam Livingstone 😍👏👏

— M_Minha (@Minha_Afridi) February 15, 2019

Liam Livingstone, instant PSL star: 82 from 43 balls on debut for @KarachiKingsARY. Opening partner Babar Azam was struggling to keep up. And he's the world's No1 T20i batsman #PSL4

— Paul Radley (@PaulRadley) February 15, 2019

Aray aray aray…..#LiamLivingstone Tum PSL 1,2, aur 3 mein kahan they??#KKvMS #Karachikings

— Nabeel ur Rehman (@NawabSaahab) February 15, 2019

Supreme hitting 🏏 by Liam Livingstone but poor bowling by bowlers. He scored all boundaries either straight or on leg side. No bowler consistently bowled outside off to him to restrict him.#HBLPSL4 #KKvMS

— Ahmer Najeeb (@AhmerNajeeb) February 15, 2019

First game in franchise cricket ✅
First 50 in franchise cricket ✅@liaml4893's on a roll for @KarachiKingsARY in the #PSL. Can he score a 💯#HallaBol

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) February 15, 2019

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