Centurion Kamran punishes Quetta bowlers

KARACHI: Kamran Akmal’s blistering 55-ball 101 secured a six-wicket win for Peshawar Zalmi against Quetta Gladiators in the fourth match of the HBL Pakistan Super League 2020 at the National Stadium here on Saturday, says a press release.

The wicketkeeper-batsman began Zalmi’s run-chase in style, hitting two sixes and two fours off Mohammad Nawaz in the first over on his way to his third century in the HBL PSL.

Kamran, who is the leading run-scorer in the PSL with 1,430 runs in 49 matches, struck 13 fours and four sixes to help Zalmi chase down the 149-run target with nine balls to spare on a day when the PCB observed a Childhood Cancer Awareness Day.

Pakistan U19 opener Haider Ali scored 25 off 28 balls in an 82-run partnership for the second-wicket with Kamran.

Earlier, Gladiators, at the back of Jason Roy’s unbeaten 73, made 148 for five after being asked to bat first.

The English opener struck six fours and a six in 57 balls and crafted a 62-run stand for the third-wicket with Gladiators captain Sarfaraz Ahmed, who struck five fours and a six in his 41 off 25 balls.

Zalmi’s pacer Wahab Riaz took two wickets for 21 runs in four overs, while Rahat Ali, Amir Khan and Darren Sammy picked up a wicket each.

For his extraordinary batting performance which gave Zalmi their first win of the season, Kamran was named player of the match.

Peshawar Zalmi take on Multan Sultans in what will be first HBL PSL match in Multan on Wednesday, while Quetta Gladiators play Karachi Kings on Sunday (today) afternoon at the National Stadium in Karachi.

Scores in brief: Quetta Gladiators 148-5 in 20 overs (Jason Roy 73 not out, Sarfaraz Ahmed 41; Wahab Riaz 2-21). Peshawar Zalmi 153-4 in 18.3 overs (Kamran Akmal 101, Haider Ali 25; Fawad Ahmed 2-40). Result: Quetta Gladiators win by six wickets.