James Vince and Kieron Pollard | © PCB (PSL)
In an action-packed match in Lahore, the Karachi Kings pulled off a fantastic seven-wicket victory over Peshawar Zalmi, showcasing the sheer power of Kieron Pollard and the exceptional bowling skills of Mir Hamza. Even though Babar Azam put on a stellar performance for Peshawar Zalmi, the Kings managed to chase down the target of 155 with relative ease.
The game marked a special occasion for Babar Azam, as he played his 271st T20 match and became the fastest player to reach 10,000 runs in this format. His innings of 72 runs off 51 balls displayed his top-notch skills. Unfortunately, Babar’s efforts weren’t enough for Peshawar Zalmi, who ended up posting a total of 154 runs after deciding to bat first.
Peshawar Zalmi faced some early challenges, losing three wickets during the initial batting powerplay. Saim Ayub fell victim to a superb delivery from Shoaib Malik, and Hasan Ali, playing against his former team, made an impact by dismissing Tom Kohler-Cadmore with a dream ball. Despite these setbacks, Babar Azam’s partnership with Rovman Powell (39) provided some stability to the innings.
However, the tide turned when Mir Hamza stepped up with his left-arm pace, taking three crucial wickets. Hamza’s accurate bowling resulted in the dismissals of Aamer Jamal and a spectacular return catch to send Babar Azam back to the pavilion. Unfortunately for Zalmi, they lost their last six wickets for just 18 runs in the final four overs.
Chasing a target of 155, Karachi Kings owed their victory to the explosive batting of Kieron Pollard. The power-packed hitter smashed an unbeaten 49 runs off just 21 balls, including four massive sixes and four boundaries. Pollard’s remarkable display of power and precision was particularly evident in his onslaught against Waqar Salamkheil, the Afghan left-arm wrist spinner. In a single over, Pollard sealed the deal with three consecutive sixes and two fours.
While Pollard stole the show, James Vince played a crucial role in the victory, remaining unbeaten on 38 runs. His composed innings ensured that Karachi Kings secured the win, and he ultimately drove Luke Wood for the winning boundary in the 17th over. Despite denying Pollard a well-deserved half-century, Vince’s contribution highlighted the team’s collective effort.
This win marked a turnaround for Karachi Kings, who had suffered a defeat in their opening game. With two points from two matches, they are off to a promising start in the tournament. The game showcased the dominance of Pollard’s power and Hamza’s bowling brilliance, setting the stage for an exciting and competitive campaign ahead.
