Twitter Reactions: Babar, Livingtone and Amir script close win for Karachi Kings
Usman Shinwari was expensive, but defended 16 runs in the last over.
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
Get the latest Cricket News and updates, Match Predictions, Fantasy Cricket Tips and lots more on CricTracker.com.
Download Our App