Right. That ends the show from the first game. Karachi Kings leap to the top of the points table, thanks to a superior net run rate. The next match barely gives us any breath to catch. The Quetta Gladiators-Multan Sultans clash is up next, beginning at 7 pm local (1400 GMT).
Victorious Karachi Kings captain, Imad Wasim, praises the duo of Babar Azam and Mohammad Nabi. Says that if one is patient on such surfaces, plenty of runs can be scored. Praises all his bowlers and spares a thought for Daniel Christian, on his last over which went for 32, saying that it can happen to anyone. Does not want to look too much into the carnage his team suffered in the last 4 overs and just gives credit to Amad Butt's clean striking.
Mohammad Nabi has been named as the PLAYER OF THE MATCH. Nabi says that his stand with Babar Azam was really good. Puts the win down to an excellent batting pitch. On being asked as to when does he plan when to attack and when not, Nabi says that it depends on the situation - if a power hitter is needed, he plays accordingly, else, he plays as per the merit of the ball.
Stand-in Peshawar Zalmi skipper, Shoaib Malik, says that it was a good total to defend and with 3 early wickets, they had a very good chance. But believes that on a good batting surface, they needed a couple of more wickets at that stage, which did not happen. Smiles on being asked about the dropped catches, epecially that of Mohammad Nabi, and says that no fielder drops a catch on purpose but also admits that catches need to be taken and the side which fields the best will win the tournament.
Earlier in the game, Peshawar recovered from a tricky position themselves, being 69/4 at one stage, before an 82-run stand between Sherfane Rutherford and Ravi Bopara revived them. And to add the icing on the cake, Amad Butt's cameo of 27 in 7 balls, all off those coming in Daniel Christian's final over, gave Karachi a decent total. Unfortunately for them, it was not to be. Please stay tuned for the presentation...
Great start by Peshawar with the ball, but the middle overs let them down. Also, the back-up bowlers. After Imran and Irfan set things up beautifully, Saqib, Butt and Asif could not quite sustain that pressure. And in the end, could never recover at the death.
It was a very good start with the ball from Peshawar. Stand-in captain Shoaib Malik's bowling changes and fielding placements were superb, reducing Karachi to 43/3. But then, came the big moment. When Nabi was on 20, he miscued a skier to deep mid-wicket where Butt dropped a sitter. After that what followed was not what Zalmi would have anticipated. Karachi needed 116 from 56 balls. After that drop, they hammered 112 in 52 balls. Unbelievable. Babar Azam was struggling but that was the time Mohammad Nabi decided to chance his arm. He made full use of his life and the duo added 118 in 57 balls, of which, 67 came from Nabi's bat. That stand did two things - A. Put Zalmi out of the match. B. Brought some rhythm into Babar's batting as he just growed in stature through his innings.
A brilliant run chase, but if you actually dissect it, a very poor game of cricket. First, Peshawar Zalmi were going nowhere but then poor bowling from Karachi Kings saw them end up close to 190, when even 170 was looking impossible at one stage. And then, as a return gift, the Zalmi were well on top, only to allow the Kings to win through some shoddy bowling and fielding.
What a run chase. Being down in the dumps at one stage and then launching one of the best counter attacks the game has seen. Daniel Christian can smile now. He would have been feeling like an unwanted person at the end of the first innings, going for 32 in the final over. He can probably understand how is Amad Butt feeling. Dropped Mohammad Nabi on 20 and also conceded 56 in his 4 overs. Tough day at the office.
KARACHI KINGS
191/4 (19.3)
77* (47)
67 (35)
2/41 (4)
1/25 (4)
Over 20
0
1
4
Daniel Christian*
16 (9)
Babar Azam
77 (47)
Umaid Asif
0/41 (3.3)
KAR
191/4
4
19.3
Umaid Asif to Daniel Christian ,MISFIELD, FOUR! Karachi Kings have romped home with 6 wickets and 3 balls to spare. Full, around middle, Daniel Christian flicks it towards deep square leg. He calls for two and the fielder runs across to his right, at deep mid-wicket. But he takes his eyes off the ball and it goes through, before the batsmen can complete the second run.
1
19.2
Umaid Asif to Babar Azam ,Short ball, around middle, pulled towards long leg for a single.
0
19.1
Umaid Asif to Babar Azam ,Full, outside off, driven straight to cover.
Final over. Umaid Asif to bowl it. 3-0-36-0 so far.
Over 19
4
1
2
0
6
0
Daniel Christian*
12 (8)
Babar Azam
76 (45)
Saqib Mahmood
2/41 (4)
KAR
186/4
0
18.6
Saqib Mahmood to Daniel Christian ,Slower ball, fuller and outside off, Daniel looks to drive but misses. 4-0-41-2 for Saqib Mahmood.
6
18.5
Saqib Mahmood to Daniel Christian ,SIX! Up, up and away! A length ball, in the slot, Daniel Christian swings this over long on! Moves to 12 from 7 balls, in a stand of 25 from 14 deliveries.
0
18.4
Saqib Mahmood to Daniel Christian ,Slower ball, outside off, Christian swings but misses.
2
18.3
Saqib Mahmood to Daniel Christian ,Slower ball, around off, worked through mid on for a couple. 9 more needed from 9 balls.