Sharjah: Karachi Kings clinched a thrilling victory over Peshawar Zalmi by 9 runs in the 13th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) played at Sharjah Cricket Ground. Batting first, Karachi Kings posted a challenging total of 174 runs, setting Peshawar Zalmi a target of 175. Openers Babar Azam and captain Kumar Sangakkara gave a strong start with a 72-run partnership. Babar Azam scored an impressive 46 runs off 28 balls, including a six and 6 fours, before being dismissed. Sangakkara made 28, Chris Gayle added 11, and Ravi Bopara contributed 30 runs. Shoaib Malik played a stellar unbeaten knock of 51 runs off 27 balls, packing 3 sixes and 4 boundaries. For Zalmi, Iftikhar Ahmed claimed 2 wickets, while Shakib Al Hasan and Imran Khan took one wicket each. In reply, Peshawar Zalmi got off to a cautious start with Tamim Iqbal and Kamran Akmal, but suffered early setbacks as Kamran (14) and Tamim fell quickly, both to Sohail Khan. Middle-order collapsed with Iftikhar Ahmed, Eoin Morgan, and Sohaib Maqsood departing cheaply. Shakib Al Hasan managed 18 before being caught off Usman Khan’s bowling. The match turned exciting when captain Darren Sammy and Shahid Afridi built a 70-run partnership for the seventh wicket. However, upon Sammy’s departure for 34 and Afridi’s aggressive 54, Zalmi’s chase lost momentum and they fell short at 165. For Karachi, Sohail Khan and Usman Khan took 3 wickets each, Osama Mir picked up 2, while Imad Wasim and Shoaib Malik claimed one wicket apiece. Karachi Kings’ win keeps them in contention in the PSL, while Peshawar Zalmi fell short despite spirited resistance from Afridi and Sammy.
