Babar Azam and Muhammad Nabi orchestrated a perfect chase to defeat Peshawar Zalmi by six wickets. Chasing 189 runs to win, Karachi Kings had a horrific start as they lost Sharjeel Khan for a golden duck. Young fast bowler Muhammad Imran dismissed him.
Joe Clarke hit a few of the middle but was sent back before he could do further damage by Muhammad Irfan on 17. Colin Ingram’s miserable form continued as he could just add 3 off 11 balls.
With their side in trouble opener Babar Azam and all-rounder Mohammad Nabi combined for a massive 118-run partnership off 61 balls. The duo first resurrected the innings and then went berserk in the latter part of the innings.
Nabi scored 67 off 35 balls with the help of 8 fours and 4 sixes, caught by fielder Tom Kohler Cadmore off the bowling of Saqib Mahmood.
All-rounder Daniel Christian made up for his expensive last over with 16 off 9 and made sure he was there at the end with Babar Azam who finished on 77 off just 47.
Saqib Mahmood was a bit expensive but picked up two wickets for Peshawar Zalmi while Mohammad Imran and Mohammad Irfan picked up one each.
Earlier, the Peshawar Zalmi had a stable start as openers Kamran Akmal and Tom Kohler Cadmore guided their side to 30 runs in four overs. Kamran was dropped by Babar Azam early in the innings off the bowling of debutant pacer Abbas Afridi.
The pacer however got Akmal out eventually before he could inflict further damage to edge a wider delivery straight into the hands of fielder Mohammad Ilyas, at the deep third man position, to pick up his first wicket of the PSL. Abbas then removed Tom Kohler in the same over ensuring that both openers were back in the hut.
Muhammad Ilyas removed Shoaib Malik on 1 and dented Zalmi badly. Haider Ali went for just 9.
It was Ravi Bopara and Sherfane Rutherford who brought Zalmi back with a crucial 82 run partnership to put a substantial total on the board.
The duo combined for a crucial 82-run partnership off 59 balls to guide their side out of a tricky period. Rutherford finally fell in the penultimate over of the innings off the bowling of Mohammad Ilyas, caught behind by wicketkeeper Joe Clarke, after scoring 46 runs off 32 balls.
