Peshawar Zalmi posted a 247-run target versus Karachi Kings, powered by Kusal Mendis’ stunning ton and Babar Azam’s 51-ball 87, in the 17th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium on Thursday.
Kings captain David Warner’s decision to field first backfired as the 2017 champions accumulated a mammoth 246/3 in their 20 overs, courtesy of a monumental 191-run partnership for the second wicket between Mendis and Babar.Zalmi, however, had a contrasting start to their innings as they lost opening batter Mohammad Haris (zero) on the second delivery of the first over, bowled by Khushdil Shah.
Following the early setback, Mendis joined Babar in the middle, and the duo turned the game on its head with a dominant partnership, which yielded 191 runs off just 97 deliveries.
Abbas Afridi eventually broke the marathon partnership in the 17th over by dismissing Mendis, who walked back after top-scoring with a blazing 109 off 52 deliveries, studded with 14 fours and four sixes.
Afridi inflicted another blow to the Zalmi’s batting expedition by getting rid of Michael Bracewell on the final delivery and brought the total down to 197/3 in 17 overs.
Babar, on the other hand, carried his bat all the way through and returned after scoring an unbeaten 87 off 51 deliveries, laced with 10 fours and two sixes.
He also shared an unbeaten 49-run partnership for the fourth wicket with Abdul Samad, who bolstered the Zalmi’s total at the backend with a quickfire 40-run cameo, coming off just 12 deliveries.
Afridi was the pick of the bowlers for the Kings, taking two wickets for 55 runs in his four overs, while Khushdil could claim one.
