In a thrilling second match of the Pakistan Super League 2023 held at the National Bank Cricket Arena on Tuesday, Captain Imad Wasim’s unbeaten 80 went in vain as Peshawar Zalmi beat Karachi Kings by just two runs.
Peshawar Zalmi batted first after Karachi Kings’ invitation and posted 199-5, thanks to Tom Kohler-Cadmore’s impressive 92 and Babar Azam’s 68.
The two batsmen added a 139-run partnership for the third wicket after Peshawar Zalmi lost two early wickets. Opener Muhammad Haris was dismissed for 10, and Saim Ayub was unlucky to be run out for 1.
With the score at 16-2 inside two overs, Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam and Tom Kohler-Cadmore displayed an excellent batting performance. Cadmore hit three consecutive sixes to Imad Wasim in an over that went for 23 runs.
The Englishman hit six sixes and seven fours for his 50-ball 92. Babar Azam hit seven fours and a six for his 46-ball 68 runs before being dismissed by Imran Tahir.
In response, Karachi Kings lost four wickets for just 46 runs as Sharjeel Khan, Haider Ali, Mathew Wade, and Qasim Akram went back to the pavilion. Sharjeel Khan was dismissed for a golden duck by Wahab Riaz in the very first over.
Mathew Wade scored a quick 23 runs but failed to score big. Qasim Akram (7) and Haider Ali (12) also perished in quick succession, leaving Karachi Kings reeling at 46-4.
Then, Imad Wasim played a captain’s knock, and he, along with experienced Shoaib Malik, put on a 131-run partnership for the fifth wicket and almost pulled off a famous victory for the home side.
Imad Wasim scored a career-best 80 not out, hitting four sixes and seven fours. Shoaib Malik hammered a 34-ball 52. Karachi Kings needed 24 runs in the last two overs, but it was Wahab Riaz who gave away just eight runs in the penultimate over and dismissed Shoaib Malik.
In the last over, Khurram Shahzad successfully defended 16 runs, as Karachi Kings fell two runs short of their target.
In conclusion, Peshawar Zalmi’s brilliant batting performance and tight bowling in the end helped them win a closely contested match against Karachi Kings.