‘Phir bhi to PCB ne drop kar diya’ – Fans react to Imad Wasim’s brilliant performance for Jamaica Tallawahs in CPL 2023 opener

Jamiaca Tallawahs registered a thrilling 11-run victory over Saint Lucia Kings in the opening encounter of the Caribbean Premier League (CPL) 2023 at the Daren Sammy National Cricket Stadium in St Lucia on Wednesday, August 16. Pakistan all-rounder Imad Wasim set the tone for Tallawahs’s close victory with his brilliant bowling display in the powerplay and a three-wicket haul.

After being put in to bat first, Tallawahs captain led from the front with a blazing knock of 81 from 53 deliveries. Opener Kirk McKenzie smashed a couple of boundaries, but Lucia Kings star performer Roston Chase opened his account by dismissing the left-hander for 20 (11). There was no significant contribution from any of the batters, but short cameos from Raymon Reifer, Fabian Allen and Wasim helped them post a competitive total of 187-10 in 20 overs.

In reply, Lucia Kings skipper Faf du Plessis departed early after Wasim struck in the third over. They did not get the momentum until Chase walked out to bat at No. 4. The Caribbean all-rounder played a blistering knock (51 off 31 balls) but wickets kept falling at the other end. The chase got close towards the end with Roshon Primus and Chase on a 60-run stand, but they were still short by 11 runs. The two spinners, Imad and Chris Green, broke the backbone of Kings, taking 5 wickets between them.

Happy with the team they have announced: Wasim on his omission from Asia Cup squad

Although Imad performed well in the CPL 2023 opener and earlier in Major League Cricket (MLC) 2023, the southpaw was not included in Pakistan’s Asia Cup 2023 squad. The 34-year-old recently opened up about his omission from the squad, saying he was happy with the team that has been announced.

“I just want the Pakistan team to win the World Cup and Asia Cup and Afghanistan series, and I am very happy with the team they have announced, and I am looking forward to watch them play because in ODI, Pakistan has got a very strong team and they are favorites in my opinion, both in the Asia Cup and the World Cup,” he said.

Here’s how fans reacted to Imad Wasim’s performance in the opening match of the CPL 2023: 

https://twitter.com/SharyOfficial/status/1692040166179766427

https://twitter.com/TheCrickFun/status/1692028876225130847