LAHORE: Karachi Kings eased past Peshawar Zalmi to gain a seven-wicket win in the sixth match of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on Wednesday.
Karachi’s platinum pick, Kieron Pollard, starred with the bat as he guided the one-time PSL champions to a comfortable win by successfully chasing down the 155-run target.
The batter’s powerful blitz posted an unbeaten 49 off 21 balls with the help of four boundaries and as many maximums.
Chasing a target of 154, the Kings swept past Zalmi in the 17th over with 19 balls remaining.
After an early hiccup, it was James Vince’s unbeaten 30-ball 38 and Shoaib Malik’s run-a-ball 29 that gave impetus to the Kings’ innings. Vince motored three boundaries and one six.
Malik clobbered one boundary and a six in his circumspect knock, before he was undone by Waqar Salamkheil.
But it was the fiery display with the bat from the West Indies giant, Kieron Pollard, who powered his team to the victory line by smacking a 21-ball 49, studding with four boundaries and four sixes.
Earlier, in the inning, Muhammad Akhlaq’s blazing 13-ball 24, lacing with three boundaries and two sixes.
Shan Masood was not looking good for the two boundaries he creamed before being befuddled by Luke Wood for 10-ball 12.
For the Zalmi, Luke Wood (2-20) scooped up two wickets.
Waqar Salamkheil (1-54) bagged one wicket, but was way too expensive, consuming 54 runs.
Mohammad Zeeshan (0-48), Salman Irshad (0-22) and Aamer Jamal (0-13) remained wicketless.
Earlier, after being put into bat, the Zalmi were off to a terrible start,losing three wickets for just 40 runs. However, it was their captain, Babar Azam, who gave the Zalmi’s innings a boost. Babar scored a brilliant 51-ball 72, whacking seven boundaries and one six before being caught and ball by Mir Hamza.
It was a 68-run partnership off 46 deliveries between Babar and Rovman Powell that helped the Zalmi post some fighting totals on the scorecard.
Powell looked good for his 25-ball 39, studding with three boundaries and two sixes, before he was removed by Mohammad Nawaz.
Asif Ali had also played a cameo, scoring 16-ball 23, smashing one boundary and one six, before he was removed by Sams.
Earlier, Saim Ayub (0 off 1) had not fulfilled the expectations of the fans and was flummoxed by veteran Shoaib Malik. Ayub made his way back to the pavilion without troubling the scorecards.
Other batters, Mohammad Haris (6), Tom Kohler-Cadmore (2), Aamer Jamal (1), Luke Wood (8), Mohammad Zeeshan (0), and Waqar Salamkheil (0) failed to show any significant resistance with the bat.
For the Kings, Mir Hamza (3-28) spearheaded the bowling lineup, picking up three wickets and bagging the player of the match award.
Hasan Ali (3-30) had also picked up three wickets.
Daniel Sams (2-28) grabbed two wickets.
Shoaib Malik (1-3) and Mohammad Nawaz (1-29) picked up two wickets apiece.
Tabraiz Shamsi (0-36) remained wicketless
