PSL 2023: Peshawar Zalmi hammer Karachi Kings

The atmosphere was electric at the Pindi Cricket Stadium as Peshawar Zalmi took on Karachi Kings in the opening match of the HBL Pakistan Super League 8.

The spectators were on the edge of their seats as the two teams battled it out in an enthralling encounter that had everyone hooked until the very last ball was bowled.

Karachi Kings won the toss and elected to bowl first.

The crowd was on its feet as Mohammad Amir, one of the world’s best pace exponents, took to the field.

He was on fire from the outset and cleaned up the entire top-order of Peshawar Zalmi in just 2.2 overs. The odds were stacked against Peshawar Zalmi, but they refused to give up.

Haseebullah sparkles

It was the debutant Haseebullah who emerged as the hero for Peshawar Zalmi.

His sparkling 50 off 29, studded with four fours and three sixes, instilled belief in the Peshawar Zalmi camp that they could still make a comeback.

Haseebullah’s fearless display of batting saw him stitch together a crucial 82-run partnership for the third wicket with Tom Kohler-Cadmore.

But Haseebullah was dismissed in the 10^th over off Tabraiz Shamsi with the score on 84.

But the team continued to rally, with Rovman Powell stepping up to the plate and smashing 64 off 34 balls, with the help of six fours and four sixes. Powell’s fireworks earned him the player of the match award.

Kohler-Cadmore played a supporting role with his unbeaten 56 off 45 balls, and the overseas pair added 85 runs to the scoreboard.

Kohler-Cadmore and Powell’s power hitting propelled Peshawar Zalmi to 197.

Karachi flounder

Karachi Kings’ run chase got off to a shaky start, with opener Matthew Wade scoring 53 off 41 balls but failing to get support from the other end.

Adam Rossington, playing his maiden HBL PSL match, scored 15 off eight balls and fell to Azmatullah Omarzai in the fourth over. From 40 for one, Karachi Kings lost half their batting lineup for 95 when Wade was bowled by Mujeeb ur Rehman.

Imad Wasim fought back with 57 not out in 30 balls, hitting as many as 10 fours and a six, but it was all too late for Karachi Kings.

Aamir Jamal finished with three for 43, following wickets of Aamer Yamin and Tabraiz Shamsi on consecutive balls.

His figures were worsened by an Imad onslaught in the 18th over that saw him getting spanked for five fours.

Peshawar Zalmi’s disciplined bowling secured them a 24-run win, with Azmatullah Omarzai taking three wickets for just 28 runs.

This was Peshawar Zalmi’s second win over Karachi Kings in the tournament, having edged them out in a thriller by two runs earlier in the season.

Scores

Peshawar Zalmi 197-5, 20 overs (Rovman Powell 64, Tom Kohler-Cadmore 56, Haseebullah 50; Mohammad Amir 4-26)

Karachi Kings 173-8, 20 overs (Imad Wasim 57 not out, Matthew Wade 53; Azmatullah Omarzai 3-28, Aamir Jamal 3-43, Mujeeb ur Rehman 2-28)

Player of the match – Rovman Powell (Peshawar Zalmi)

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