Kings survive Afridi blitz to secure 9-run victory over Zalmi

SHARJAH: A valiant knock by Shahid Afridi went in vain as the flamboyant all-rounder got out in traditional manner after bringing Peshawar Zalmi close to the victory but still nine runs short in a nail-biting encounter against Karachi Kings.

Zalmis required 18 off last over and Usama Mir conceded 8 off first three balls, but then Afridi spliced the ball up in the air, only to be caught by Chris Gayle at backwards square leg after scoring an entertaining and fighting 54 off 28 deliveries.

His innings included 5 sixes and three boundaries, and along with his captain Darren Sammy he added 70 runs for the 7th wicket after Peshawar had lost six wickets with only 69 runs on the board, chasing a target of 175.

Karachi’s fast bowling duo of Sohail Khan and Usman Shinwari got three wickets apiece conceding 28 and 32 runs respectively in their quota of four overs.

Earlier, a tremendous half-century by Shoaib Malik and remarkable batting effort by Babar Azam helped Karachi post 174 for 4 in 20 overs.

Former Karachi Kings captain Shoaib Malik smashed three sixes and four boundaries to score 51 off 27 deliveries, the innings also helped him surpass his PSL team mate from West Indies Keiron Pollard to jump to  5th position in list of most runs in T20 cricket.

Opening batsman Babar Azam scored 46 off 38 deliveries. His sensible innings included one shot over the boundary line while six hitting the fence. Ravi Bopara smashed two sixes and two fours to score 30 off 20 deliveries.

However, Chris Gayle – once again – failed to score and returned to pavilion with just 11 runs against his name after a magnificent catch by Eoin Morgan at long-on.

For Peshawar, Iftikhar Ahmed took two wickets, while Shakib Al Hasan and Imran Khan got one wicket apiece.

For his brilliant innings, Shoaib Malik was awarded man of the match.