Twitter Reactions: Noor Ahmad keeps Karachi Kings afloat for PSL 2021 playoffs’ berth

Karachi Kings found themselves in all sorts of trouble after losing three games on the trot in the second leg of the 2021 Pakistan Super League. However, on Thursday, June 17, the Imad Wasim-led unit ceased their losing streak and beat the Lahore Qalandars by seven runs at the Sheikh Zayed Stadium. But they need a win in their last game to have any chance of qualifying for the playoffs.

Babar and Guptill take charge

Sharjeel Khan kick-started the innings with a four and a six before throwing his wicket away to Shaheen Shah Afridi. Babar Azam rode his luck as he was dropped three times. The opener capitalised on the missed chances and scored 54 runs off 44 balls with seven fours. Martin Guptill, after three low scores, got his form back with a 31-ball 43, laced with two fours and three sixes.

Najibullah Zadran and Chadwick Walton couldn’t make much of an impact. Imad Wasim and Danish Aziz played cameos of 30* and 16* respectively and took the Kings to 176 in their 20 overs. Rashid Khan was the standout bowler for the Qalandars. Not only did he get the wickets of Babar and Walton, but conceded runs at 6.25. James Faulkner also had an excellent economy rate of 6.75.

Noor shows his class  

Fakhar Zaman and Sohail Akhtar made sure that the Qalandars got off to a steady start with a 38-run stand off five overs. After they perished, Mohammad Hafeez scored a run-a-ball 36 with three fours and one huge six. Agha Salman and Ben Dunk couldn’t cross the single-digit scores. In the last nine overs, the Qalandars needed 98 runs, meaning that the required rate had escalated to nearly 11.

Left-arm wrist spinner Noor Ahmad was a tough nut to crack for the Qalandars. The youngster got the prized wickets of Hafeez and Dunk and gave 19 runs in four overs with 12 dot balls. Tim David scored a 14-ball 34 and he got support from Faulkner, who turned up with an 18-ball 33. Rashid also played scored a six-ball 16. To the Qalandars’ dismay, the cameos weren’t enough for them to win.

Here’s how the netizens reacted to Karachi Kings’ win:

RASHID THIS. RASHID THAT. NOOR AHMED IS THE REAL DEAL!!!!!!! pic.twitter.com/TszykVBbYj

— Ali (@AleyFarooq_) June 17, 2021

Another SPIN WIZARD from Afghanistan makes a massive impression – Afghanistan can wait though, to night he is the KING of Karachi!
Noor Ahmed – Remember the name! pic.twitter.com/FPvMGUovvf

— Emmad Hameed (@Emmad81) June 17, 2021

Great bowling by Noor Ahmed. Love seeing a lefty leggy. And absolutely can’t wait to see @FaisalAkram_ in PSL 🤩

— Ali Khan Tareen (@aliktareen) June 17, 2021

How does Afghanistan produce such amazing wrist spinners?

Rashid Khan
Qais Ahmed
Noor Ahmed
Shafiqullah Ghafari

Unbelievable amount of talent 🇦🇫 #PSL

— Haroon🇵🇸 (@hazharoon) June 17, 2021

16 Year old. team under immense pressure. comes to bowl. squeezes the runs. gets lahore two best batsmen (dunk & hafeez). nobody knew him before the game. now nobody will forget his name. welcome to PSL Afghan's Prince ''Noor Ahmed'' pic.twitter.com/cWge215KBe

— Ali (@AleyFarooq_) June 17, 2021

Noor Ahmed the magician#KKvsLQ

— Najeeb ul Hasnain (@ImNajeebH) June 17, 2021

Noor ahmed produces a good spell 4 overs 2for 17 top class performance .#LQvKK #KKvLQ #HBLPSL6 pic.twitter.com/G0KKqUDkqu

— Inshal Khan (@InshalKhan124) June 17, 2021

Afghanistan producing some serious T20 players. Noor Ahmed what a talent🔥

— Haji Bilal (@haaji_bilal) June 17, 2021

This Boy Noor Ahmed Has Got Some Real Magic In Him. Outstanding Spell of 4 overs by him for Karachi Kings.

— Shahzaib Ali 🇵🇰 (@DSBcricket) June 17, 2021