Twitter Reactions: Heroics of Babar Azam prevail in a thrilling PSL encounter between Kings and Zalmi

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: