Kamran look to shine in Lahore after Dubai heroics

By our correspondents

March 05, 2017

DUBAI: Kamran Akmal hit the first century of HBL Pakistan Super League’s second edition to lead Peshawar Zalmi in the final and then declared that he would go all out to repeat his heroics in the title clash to be held in Lahore on Sunday (today).

The seasoned Kamran hit a spectacular ton as Zalmi floored Karachi Kings here at Dubai International Stadium on Friday night.

Pushing for a Pakistan recall, Kamran bludgeoned a 60-ball century as Peshawar scored 181-3 before their potent bowling arsenal forced Karachi into submission, restricting them to 157-7 for an emphatic 24-run triumph in the final playoff.

Peshawar will now meet Quetta Gladiators in the much-anticipated PSL finale at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Sunday (tomorrow).

“It feels great to have helped my team’s cause,” said Kamran. “Now I am completely focused on helping Peshawar win the final in Lahore,” he added.

Karachi never really recovered from a disastrous start even though Chris Gayle lifted them from 35-4 in 8.2 overs at one stage of the innings. Just when the West Indian star started to threaten Peshawar he was scalped by Wahab Riaz with a slower one. Gayle made 40 from 31 balls with four sixes and two fours.

The second unsuccessful rescue act came from another West Indian star Kieron Pollard, who hammered 47 from 26 balls but failed to avoid the inevitable. Pollard put on 62 for the sixth wicket with Imad Wasim (24 off 19) before falling to Wahab, who finished with 3-24. Chris Jordan bagged 3-26.

Earlier, Kamran (104) continued his prolific form, smashing seven sixes and six boundaries in his entertaining 65-ball knock to the delight of a packed stadium in Dubai.

Karachi skipper Kumar Sangakkara appeared to rue his decision of inviting Zalmi to take first lease of the wicket as Kamran and Dawid Malan (36) posted 97 in 11.3 overs before being separated.

Kamran raced to a 33-ball fifty and became only the second player to score a century in the PSL as he pummelled the Kings attack, being particularly severe on Ravi Bopara who went for 41 in his three overs before being run out.

The wicketkeeper-batman, who last played for Pakistan almost three years ago in the 2014 World T20 championship match against West Indies in Dhaka, also added 77 runs with Marlon Samuels (37 not out).

During his match-winning knock, Kamran also hit a personal milestone of 4,000 Twenty20 runs.

Peshawar made one change with Khushdil Shah coming in for Sohaib Maqsood.

Having entered the final, Peshawar will be hoping that their foreign stars including captain Darren Sammy will fulfill their promise of playing in the Lahore final.

Score Board

Karachi Kings won toss

Peshawar Zalmi

†Kamran Akmal run out 104

D J Malan c Babar b Sohail 36

M N Samuels not out 37

Shahid Afridi c Babar b Amir 0

*D J G Sammy not out 0

Extras (lb 3, w 1) 4

Total (3 wickets; 20 overs) 181

Did not bat: Khushdil Shah, M Hafeez, C J Jordan, Wahab Riaz, Hasan Ali, M Asghar

Fall: 1-97, 2-174, 3-179