Zalmi edge Kings in low-scoring thriller

KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi defeated Karachi Kings by two runs in a low-scoring thriller at the National Bank Stadium to go top of the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) points table with six wins in 10 matches.

Having given Kings a 148-run target on a slow surface, the Zalmi all-rounder Aamer Jamal successfully defended 17 runs in the last over despite being hit for two fours by Anwar Ali (14).

Saim Ayub was the pick of the bowlers for Zalmi, as he effectively used the spin-friendly wicket, taking two scalps for just 18 runs in four overs. Afghan pacer Naveen-ul-Haq took two for 22. Luke Wood took one for 24, while Aamer also picked one.

Kings, who went through another disastrous season winning just four games, were given a steady start by the openers James Vince (21) and Tim Seifert (41) of 61 runs in 8.5 overs.

Though Seifert came with the intent and took on the bowlers during the 30-ball knock with eight fours, Vince scored only 21 off 27.

Kings skipper Shan Masood was clean bowled by Saim for zero, while Shoaib Malik scored 22 off 25 balls as the home team batters failed to take singles and doubles consistently.

Irfan kept the Kings in the game by scoring a quick-fire 39 off 26 balls with seven fours. Zalmi, having elected to bat first, were rescued by Babar Azam (51) who scored at almost a run a ball before Rovman Powell’s (30) fiery cameo at the back end propelled Zalmi to 147 in 20 overs on a tough batting surface.

For Kings, the young left-arm orthodox Arafat Minhas was the stand-out bowler with excellent figures of 2-11 in four overs. Daniel Sams, Zahid Mahmood and Hasan Ali picked a wicket each. Wickless Shoaib Malik remained economical.

The dependable opening duo of Saim Ayub and Babar gave a fine 55-run start in 6.2 overs. Babar looked good with some great strokes, but Saim failed to launch big hits before getting removed for 19 off 18 balls with three fours to Zahid.

Mohammad Haris also got out for 13 off 11 balls, handing a catch at point off Hasan’s bowling in the 11th over with 79 runs on the board. Four runs later, Haseebullah Khan got out to Arafat.

The turning point came when Babar got run out, with Zalmi’s score at 101 in 13.5 overs, courtesy of an accurate throw by Zahid from long-on as Shan Masood quickly whipped off the bails.

However, in the death overs, the West Indian Powell laced three fours during the 18-ball cameo to take Zalmi to 147 for six.