Twitter Reactions: Heroics of Babar Azam prevail in a thrilling PSL encounter between Kings and Zalmi
Under immense pressure, Umaid Asif delivered a brilliant final over bowling to two set batsmen.
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Another exciting and high-scoring fixture was on the cards in the second game of PSL 2020. In this first afternoon game of the season, the Karachi Kings played Peshawar Zalmi. This encounter saw the ICC No.1 T20I batsman, Babar Azam dominate like he usually does. With skipper Imad Wasim joining the big-hitting race, the Kings became the first team to breach the 200-run mark this season.
The Karachi Kings were asked to bat first after they lost the toss. It didn’t seem a big concern as the pitch looked a belter to bat on and the dew factor was also negated since it is an afternoon game. Sharjeel Khan went big straightaway hitting a couple of sixes and a four before he was dismissed by Hasan Ali on 19. Cameron Delport looked good with his 16-ball 20 but the real acceleration came after the fall of his wicket. The duo of Babar Azam and Imad Wasim went all guns blazing.
Together, they added 97 runs in only 55 balls. Babar was the first to fall after mustering 78 runs from 56 balls. The southpaw fell in the final over soon after he reached his 50. While getting to 200 seemed slightly tough, Iftikhar Ahmed struck three meaty blows off the last three balls scoring 16 runs as the side got to 201/4.
Liam Livingstone tries hard but his efforts go in vain
Tom Banton was dismissed early in the chase for run-a-ball 13. Haider Ali queued back after scoring 4 runs while Shoaib Malik was run out for 16. Yet, wicket-keeper Kamran Akmal remained positive and raced his way to 43 from 26 balls before Cameron Delport got him. At 81/4 within 10 overs, the Peshawar Zalmi weren’t in a great position in the chase.
But Liam Livingstone kept them interested with his knock. Even though he started slow, he switched gears quickly. Towards the end, the game got really exciting. Darren Sammy and Livingstone went all guns blazing as 32 runs came off the 18th and 19th overs. Yet, they needed 16 runs more in the last over. Umaid Asif used all his experience and didn’t allow the batsmen to get away with big shots. Sammy was dismissed on 30 on the fourth ball while Livingstone remained unbeaten on 54 off 29. The Karachi Kings won the match by 10 runs.
Here is how Twitterati reacted after the game:
Excellent bowling Umaid 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼
— Ali Khan Tareen (@aliktareen) February 21, 2020
Karachi Kings are so good that despite playing wrong XI, they have beaten Peshawar by 10 runs. Umer Khan, with 15 wickets, was PSL 2019’s best spinner. He should have played. Imad Wasim needs to show trust in other spinners. #KKvsPZ #PSL2020
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) February 21, 2020
The team to beat this year – Karachi Kings. Strong squad, good management, not many weaknesses and strength in depth #PSLV #KKvPZ
— Saj Sadiq (@Saj_PakPassion) February 21, 2020
Koi baat nhii
Hota hai, chalta hai, Game hai..#HumZalmi#KKvPZ #PSL2020— Syeda Rubab Sarwar 🍁 (@Nira_Sayaapa) February 21, 2020
Most Dismissals as Wicket Keeper In PSL History :
39 Kamran Akmal
30 Mohammad Rizwan
29 Sarfaraz Ahmed
20 Kumar Sangakkara#PSL2020 #PSL5 #KKvPZ— Mani 🇵🇰 (@ManiTweets14) February 21, 2020
UMAID ASIF DISMISSES WAHAB RIAZ
Karachi Kings have defeated Peshawar Zalmi by 10 runs #HBLPSLV #TayyarHain #CricketForAll pic.twitter.com/fV1FPHYUv0
— Cricingif (@_cricingif) February 21, 2020
Darren Sammy's batting looks so strange but in a way it does make sense: the high-handle grip, huge swing & minimal footwork are ill-suited to conventional batting but it's a decent set-up for hitting, particularly full balls. Then his natural power takes over. #HBLPSLV
— Freddie Wilde (@fwildecricket) February 21, 2020
Nothing hurts more than seeing Babar Azam's class being wasted in Karachi kings.
— Sabir. (@anoldschoolsoul) February 21, 2020
When Babar Azam bats like this it kind of makes you forget this team is owned by Salman Iqbal
— Osama. (@ashaqeens) February 21, 2020
What a power hitter what a shot Babar Azam you beauty ❤ pic.twitter.com/CH53F6cKhJ
— WaQar Ameer Sathio (@Bolo_WaQar) February 21, 2020
Babar azam plays any shot
Me: pic.twitter.com/GAJ6zn1IOl— umer (@thatumer) February 21, 2020
No one can beat his class❤️#BabarAzam#KKvPZ
— ثمرہ سبین🇵🇰 (@Fix___IT) February 21, 2020
Babar Azam has scored 4 centuries & 3 half centuries in his last 9 International inns. Starts PSL 2020 with a 78. Incredible from No 1 T20I batsman and highest ranked International batsman in the world. #KingBabar. 👑 @babarazam258 👏
— Tajamul Hussain. (@Heartx_Theif7) February 21, 2020
Babar Azam is the best thing that happened for Karachi Kings!
— urban paindu. (@theBaeBold) February 21, 2020
What a master inning by babar azam.. #KKvPZ watched it and enjoyed it!! Thank you babar
— Sim…🦋 (@Silent_deserts) February 21, 2020
In the end Innings of Babar Azam and that last over by Hasan Ali was the difference
— Waqas Gul (@Gul5Waqas) February 21, 2020
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