PSL 2023: Peshawar Zalmi triumph over Karachi Kings

Peshawar Zalmi Tuesday beat Karachi Kings by two runs during the second match of the Pakistan Super League's (PSL) eighth edition at the National Bank Cricket Arena in Karachi.

Put to bat first, Peshawar posted a massive 199 runs on the scoreboard before restricting the home side to 197-5 in 20 overs, thanks to Cadmore's magnificent knock and a brilliant bowling display by the bowlers.

Skipper Imad Wasim and Shoaib Malik shined as Karachi made a comeback.

However, Khurram rose to the occasion and repaid his captain Babar's trust by bowling a magnificent last over to win the game for his side.

PSL 2023: Imad Wasims 80 in vain as Peshawar Zalmi beat Karachi Kings

In the last over, needing 16 off six balls, Khurram started off with a well-placed wide yorker, giving away one run.

The second ball was also an almost flawless yorker, which also cost a run.

Khurram bowled a no-ball on the third delivery but delivered a good one on the free hit. The right-arm bowler held his composure to bowl the next two deliveries in good areas to defend the total and not let Imad and Ben Cutting reach the total.

All-rounder Imad fought hard and scored an unbeaten 80 runs off 47 balls, including seven boundaries and four maximums.

Imad and Malik had put on a 131-run partnership to stage Karachi's comeback after Peshawar Zalmi's bowlers shined as they toppled the opponents' top order.

The home side lost their first wicket as Sharjeel Khan fell prey to the former skipper of the Yellow Storm, Wahab Riaz.

Later, Jimmy Neesham sent Australian batter Matthew Wade (23) and Pakistan's young all-rounder Qasim Akram (7) back to the pavilion.

Meanwhile, Salman Irshad got a wicket on his first ball as he got the wicket of Haider Ali, who scored 12 runs off 10 balls.

After losing four wickets, skipper Imad Wasim and veteran all-rounder Shoaib Malik led the chase for Karachi, putting on a stellar partnership.

In the 17th over, Wahab Riaz had the chance to send Malik packing but he dropped the catch off Neesham.

However, Wahab got the better of Malik in the penultimate over as the all-rounder was caught-behind off the veteran bowler following completing his half-century.

Wahab was unlucky on the last ball of his over as he bowled a no-ball, which got Ben Cutting out. The Australian batter had to stay at the crease but the left-arm pacer made a great comeback on the free-hit delivery with a wide yorker.

Earlier, unstoppable Tom Kohler-Cadmore helped Peshawar Zalmi post 199 runs on the scoreboard.

After losing two quick wickets, Cadmore and skipper Babar Azam helped Zalmi get back in the game.

The English batter put on a sensational performance for his side, scoring 92 runs off 50 balls, laced up with seven boundaries and six maximums.

Cadmore hit Kings' skipper Imad for three maximums in a row, while Babar showed his brilliant skills to hit boundaries.

Meanwhile, Babar also accompanied Cadmore, hitting seven fours and a maximum to score his 24th PSL fifty.

The two batters remained on the crease with a massive 139-run partnership for the third wicket.

However, the partnership broke after Imran Tahir sent Babar back to the pavilion after scoring 68 runs off 46 balls.

Following Babar's departure, Sri Lankan batter Bhanuka Rajapaksa came to the crease but was sent packing after scoring six runs off six balls.

After Mohammad Amir conceded two boundaries in the first over, Mohammad Haris welcomed Mir Hamza with a boundary, but the left-arm pacer trapped the young wicketkeeper batter for an LBW with an in-swinging yorker.

In the same over, Saim Ayub got out after an unlucky run-out following Babar's straight drive, which hit Hamza's hand before toppling the wickets at the non-striker's end.

Lineups

Karachi Kings: Sharjeel Khan, Matthew Wade, Haider Ali, Shoaib Malik, Qasim Akram, Ben Cutting, Imad Wasim, Andrew Tye, Imran Tahir, Mir Hamza, Mohammad Amir.

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam, Mohammad Haris, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Saim Ayub, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, James Neesham, Shakib Al Hasan, Wahab Riaz, Khurram Shahzad, Sufiyan Muqeem, Salman Irshad. 

More to follow...