Peshawar Zalmi scored a 61-run victory over Karachi Kings in their Pakistan Super League 2019 clash at the National Stadium Karachi here on Monday. Chasing a formidable target of 204, Karachi failed reach home despite a 71-run knock by Colin Ingram. Karachi were all out on 142 in 16.2 overs. Ingram offered a relative resistance with his 37 balls innings, including seven boundaries and four sixes. Soon after his departure, Karachi lost their chasing streak. Hasan Ali led Peshawar pace attack with 3-15 while Wahab Riaz (2-19), Tymal Mills (2-25) and Sameen Gul (2-49) shared the spoils. The win lifted Peshawar to 14 points from their ten matches and with a superior net run-rate they finished top of the six-team table, followed by Quetta Gladiators with 14 in ten games, Peshawar also topped the round stage in both 2016 and 2017 PSL editions. Karachi finished with ten points and at fourth spot while Islamabad United are third with ten points in ten matches.
Earlier, Karachi won the toss and opted to field first. The decision appeared the backfire as Peshawar openers Kamran Akmal and Imamul Haq gave their side a flying start. At the end of the innings, Peshawar were 203 for the loss of 7 scalps. Kamran put 86 runs on the scoreboard off 48 balls while Imam added 59 runs. Kamran smacked 6 fours and 3 sixes on his way to a 50 in just 8 overs. Fast bowler Mohammad Amir picked three wickets for 24. Colin Munro claimed two while Usman Shinwari took a single wicket.
Man-of-the-match Kamran Akmal said his aim was to be positive. “It was a big total and that was because we were positive,” said Kamran. “We knew that we want to bat long and then credit to the bowlers who defended well because it wasn’t easy defending on this pitch.” Peshawar skipper Darren Sammy said Kamran was his match winner. “The way Kamran batted it was great,” said Sammy. “He is our match winner and once he took us to 200 it was up to the bowlers and Hasan and Wahab are bowling so well together that it paved our win.”
Brief scores:
Peshawar Zalmi 203-7 in 20 overs (Kamran Akmal 86, Imam-ul-Haq 59; Mohammad Amir 3-24) VS Karachi Kings 142 in 16.2 overs (Colin Ingram 71, Imad Wasim 30: Hasan Ali 3-15, Wahab Riaz 2-19).
Published in Daily Times, March 12th 2019.