PSL 2020: Kamran Akmal smashes first century of the tournament

KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi batsman Kamran Akmal's blistering knock was instrumental in helping the 'Yellow Storm' secure a six-wicket victory over the Quetta Gladiators on Saturday. 

Right from the start of the first ball, Akmal looked set to score another blistering knock. He smashed boundaries left, right and center to reach his half-century from just 20 balls. 

This was Akmal's third PSL  century and the first of the fifth edition of the league. 

Akmal returned to pavilion soon after completing his century as he was caught by Jason Roy at deep mid-wicket as he tried to play a sweep shot off Fawad Ahmed’s delivery.

Twitterati were ecstatic at Akmal's third PSL century and took to the social media website to lavish praise on his innings.

Akmal said during the post-match press conference that he always tried to play his best game. "Whenever I come out to bat, I always try to stay at the crease," he said, adding that he tries not to let the pressure of the match get to him. 

Kamran throws weight behind his brother

Akmal on Saturday voiced support for his troubled brother Umar Akmal, saying that the suspended Quetta Gladiators batsman was innocent.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had suspended Umar on Thursday, with unconfirmed reports suggesting that he was punished for being in touch with a bookie.

The older Akmal, however, was confident that his younger sibling will get his name cleared.

"The investigation against Umar Akmal is underway. You can say whatever you want to after it concludes. He is my brother and I am sure that he hasn't done anything as such," Kamran said during a post-match press conference.

"Umar has cooperated with Pakistan Cricket Board's anti-corruption wing like no one else has," he said, adding that "I have no doubt on my brother's honesty."

Kamran then moved on to the match's happenings, praising his team's bowlers for "putting on a good bowling show, which restricted Quetta Gladiators from posting a big total."

Expressing his thoughts about not getting appointed in the national squad he said: "I have no complaints against the previous selection committee."

Kamran urged fans to judge a player's caliber not on the basis of their T20 performances but their four-day format's output.

He also heaped praise on franchise captain Darren Sammy, who is to be given honorary citizenship of Pakistan, saying that the West Indies star "came to play PSL when no one else was ready to".