Bopara terms top-order’s failure reason behind defeat

KARACHI: The Karachi Kings assistant coach Ravi Bopara highlighted the lack of runs from the top order batters as the reason behind the Kings’ 20-run defeat against Multan Sultans in the 19th Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024 match at the National Bank Stadium on Sunday night.

It should be noted that Karachi Kings are going through a torrid campaign just like the previous seasons as they have lost four matches out of six after failing to chase 190 at home. Bopara while addressing a post-match press conference stressed the top-order’s lack of runs. “Chasing 190 is tough. Sometimes you get close and win in the last over, and today we fell 20 runs short. To chase such totals, you need your top order to fire. Hopefully, when the top-order batters can notch half-centuries that will have a huge impact.”

Bopara also spoke of the rebuilding process, saying that he has been impressed with some of the youngsters. “I’ve been impressed with guys like Irfan Niazi. He’s growing in confidence and is probably the best fielder in Pakistan. He has shown it in this competition. He saves us easily 10 or more runs. He is becoming more powerful and confident in batting too,” Bopara said.

“Unfortunately, the new guys haven’t had a chance to play that much. We can’t fit them in at the moment. But you can see some of the new guys come through,” he said. About Mohammad Nawaz, who hasn’t been performing well he said: “Someone like him, who’s played international cricket, you got to give them a run, you can’t just drop them after four or five games. They’ve got to have a long run.”