Peshawar Zalmi put in a dominating performance to secure a 24-run victory over Karachi Kings in the 17th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight.
Opting to bat first, Zalmi got off to a poor start, losing three crucial wickets in the first three overs courtesy of a fiery opening spell by Mohammad Amir. However, young wicketkeeper-batsman Haseebullah and Tom Kohler-Cadmore staged a gritty fourth-wicket partnership, adding 82 runs to script a remarkable recovery. Haseebullah was the core aggressor, smashing four boundaries and three sixes in his 50 off 29 deliveries, while Kohler-Cadmore held his end with an anchoring knock of 56 off 45 balls.
Rovman Powell then stepped up the scoring rate, smashing six boundaries and four sixes to top-score for Zalmi with a quickfire 64 off just 34 balls. Despite Tabraiz Shamsi dismissing Haseebullah and Amir taking four wickets, Zalmi managed to post a massive total of 197/5.
In reply, Karachi Kings started strongly, with a new opening pair of Matthew Wade and debutant Adam Rossington adding 40 runs for the first wicket. However, Azmatullah Omarzai removed Rossington, sparking a frustrating collapse that saw the Kings slip to 95/5 in the 12th over. Wade fought hard with an impressive half-century, but his dismissal triggered a further collapse that saw the Kings fall short of their target, finishing at 173/8 in their 20 overs.
Imad Wasim also contributed with a gritty half-century, but the Kings failed to capitalize on his efforts as Zalmi’s bowlers, led by Aamer Jamal and Omarzai with three wickets each, held their nerve and guided the team to a comfortable victory.
Mohammad Amir put in a solid bowling performance, finishing with figures of 4/26, but it wasn’t enough to stop Zalmi’s powerful batting display. With this win, Zalmi moves up to second place in the PSL points table, while Kings slip to fifth.
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