HBL PSL: Kamran propels Zalmi

LAHORE: Brilliant knocks from Kamran Akmal and Andre Fletcher helped Peshawar Zalmi reach 170 in rain-reduced 16 overs innings against Karachi Kings in the second eliminator here at the Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday night.

Kamran who remained in great form throughout the third edition of Pakistan Super League (PSL-3), was the first to hit the fastest 17-ball PSL half century. Zalmi, however, achieved 170/7 runs in 16 overs. Overs were reduced from the usual quota of 20 overs due to wet and slippery outfield that delayed the start of the second eliminator.

Karachi Kings stand-in captain Mohammad Amir, who replaced injured Shahid Afridi, won the toss and elected to take the field totally misjudged the conditions after the rain disruption which backfired with Zalmi openers performance.

Kamran, in his rapid-fire slogging got 77 in 27 balls, slapped Kings with 13 boundaries, eight of which landed flying high across the ropes. His opening partner Fletcher on his part cracked 34 with the help of three fours and two sixes as he faced 30 balls. They maintained above 10 runs per over average right from the start of the game.

Kings used six bowlers to keep these two in check but of no avail until Ravi Bopara had success in his second and innings 10th over when he trapped Fletcher and then Kamran. Bopara brought an end to their 107 runs opening wicket partnership with Joe Denly taking the catch of Fletcher at long on boundary.

Liam Dawson, who just yesterday put Quetta Gladiator attack to sword, joined Kamran, and started his innings with a six. But Kamran became the second victim (at 120/2) of Bopara on the last ball of the same over. Though Bopara took two key wickets but also conceded 13 runs in the same over with one six hit by Dawson and the other by Kamran before marching back to the stands.

The following batsmen, Dawson 13, Mohammad Hafeez 13, Darren Sammy (23 in 12 balls), Saad Nasim 2, Wahab Riaz and Chris Jordon contributed useful 50 runs in addition to openers score. Bopara and Mills had three and two wickets while Usman Khan had one.

The winner of the match will play against Islamabad United on March 25 and the loser will go home packing.

Zalmi’s opener Tamim Iqbal was replaced by the English all-rounder Chris Jordon while Kings made three changes in the side. Danish Aziz, Mukhtar Ahmed and Ravi Bopoara in for Morgan, Afridi and Imad Wasim.

Intermittent rain since Wednesday morning left everyone in a fix but even then fans from across the city assembled in great numbers at the stadium to be part of the second eliminator.

The ground staff did everything in its domain to make the outfield fit for play. Even choppers were summoned at around 5.30 to dry the outfield. And just before that all the covers were taken off the wicket. At 7.30 pm, the field umpires came out for their first inspection and declared the ground fit to start the game at 8.15 with 16 overs a side match.

A thick cover of clouds hovered over the city since morning. It poured and poured, leaving huge puddles in the outfield. But hats off to the ground staff for making the field playable. The rain also marred the first elimination match between Quetta Gladiator and Peshawar Zalmi, a day earlier.