PSL 2017, Match 13, Review: Karachi Kings prevail over Peshawar Zalmi in narrow encounter

Karachi Kings finally got off the mark on the points table after a string of defeats. Their drought run of no wins ended when they eked out a narrow win over Islamabad United recently. Now, they beat Peshawar Zalmi in the 13th match of the PSL 2017. The odds were against the Kings but a fine show from veteran batsman Shoaib Malik ensured that they managed to put on a decent total on the board. Later in the match, the bowlers did a fair bit of job, combined with some reckless shots from the opposition, helped the Kings draw first blood for their franchise this season.

Earlier in the match, it was the Peshawar Zalmi skipper Darren Sammy who had won the toss and opted to field first. They maintained the same lineup except one change that they had fielded in their previous match. They decided to rest the out of form batsman Mohammad Hafeez and got the services of Iftikhar Ahmed in his place. The other three overseas players in addition to Sammy were Tamim Iqbal, Eoin Morgan and Shakib Al Hasan. The Karachi Kings, on the other hand, made no changes and stuck with the combination of Chris Gayle, Kumar Sangakkara, Ravi Bopara and Kieron Pollard.

Surprisingly, there was no Chris Gayle opening for Kings on the day. Sangakkara promoted himself to open the innings with Babar Azam. Azam and Sanga started off cautiously before taking off. Both batsmen managed to help the side put on 47 runs in the powerplay. They soon picked up pace and added 72 runs for the first wicket in 54 balls.

The partnership was broken when in-form batsman Azam was dismissed on 46 off 38 balls (6 fours, 1 six) by Shakib Al Hasan in the 9th over. In walked the big burly West Indies batsman Chris Gayle. Sangakkara was dismissed soon after on 28 (22) by Iftikhar Ahmed. Gayle’s fortunes did not change with the change in batting position. He became Iftikhar’s second scalp after scoring just 11.

With 90/3 in 12.2 overs, the Kings needed a serious takeoff. It was the duo of Shoaib Malik and Ravi Bopara, who then led the accelerated flight. Bopara looked good for his 20-ball 30 with 2 fours and 2 sixes. Malik went a shade better. His unbeaten 51 off 27 deliveries with 4 fours and 3 sixes saw the Karachi Kings finish with 174/4 in their stipulated 20 overs.

Peshawar Zalmi were never in the run chase as their top order woes continued. None of the batsmen in the top five could put up an anchoring show. Tamim Iqbal and Kamran Akmal gave hopes with their 32 run opening stand. However, it was Sohail Khan who got rid of both batsmen in space of 3 deliveries in the fourth over to send them on the back foot. Tamim scored 16, and Kamran managed to score 14. Iftikhar Ahmed came in next but only to be dismissed a couple of ball later by Imad Wasim on 1.

Eoin Morgan did not click either and had a minimal score of 3 to his name. Shakib Al Hasan (18), Sohaib Maqsood (5) fell cheaply too and at 69/7, the Peshawar Zalmi looked absolutely struggling. It was a late 70 run stand between Darren Sammy and Shahid Afridi for the 7th wicket that gave some respite to the run chase. Sammy hit a timely 26-ball 34 with a four and 3 sixes.

But it was the old war horse Shahid Afridi who smashed 54 off mere 28 deliveries with 3 fours and 6 sixes. With 35 needed off 14 deliveries, the Zalmi still had a ray of hope with Afridi and Sammy around. But a flurry of wickets after that saw Sammy, Wahab Riaz, Hasan Ali and Afridi falter as the Zalmi fell 9 short of the target. Sohail Khan and Usman Khan bagged 3 wickets each for Karachi Kings.

Brief Scores:

Karachi Kings 174/4 in 20 overs (Malik 51*, Azam 46, Iftikhar 2/8)

Peshawar Zalmi 169/10 in 19.5 overs (Afridi 54, Sammy 34, Sohail 3/28, Usman 3/32)

Man of the Match: Shoaib Malik