KAR VS PES T20S

Right then, that is it from another exciting contest in the PSL 2023. It is the Peshawar Zalmi who start their tournament with a win while Karachi Kings will have to wait for it for some time. However, the action in this competition continues on 15th February, Wednesday when Multan Sultans will take on Quetta Gladiators. That game will start at 6.30 pm IST (1 pm GMT). Do join us early for the build-up as usual. Cheers!

Babar Azam, the winning skipper of Peshawar Zalmi says that it was important to win as he is with a new team and leading them as well. Adds that there was dew in the second innings, but credits his bowlers for the way they bowled in the Powerplay. Tells that Khurram Shahzad did not start well, but was good under pressure in the last over. Mentions that he always tries to give his best against every opposition and while batting he was trying to give the strike to Tom Kohler-Cadmore as he was hitting the ball well. Says that there are always some things to improve as a team and in this game they could have scored ten runs more, but is happy with the result.

Imad Wasim, the captain of Karachi Kings says that it was a decent score and feels that it was 200-run wicket. Adds that they would have got over the line had one batter batted through. Mentions that you cannot buy experience of somene like Shoaib Malik. Reckons that Wahab Riaz bowled really well. Also says that it is tough to bowl on this surface and taking early wickets is the key which Peshawar Zalmi did. Ends by saying that they will take positives from this game and they will learn how to bowl defensively on this wicket.

Tom Kohler-Cadmore is the Player of the Match for his brilliant knock of 92 runs from 50 balls. He reckons that it was a very nice pitch with close to 400 runs being scored on the night. Adds that it has been a good wicket over the years and it was important not to take too many balls. Feels that playing cricket and hitting balls keeps you in momentum. Also says that it was nice to contribute and get over the line. Shares that they had pre-game plans and it was about following those. Ends by saying that it was great to bat with Babar Azam and watching him up close was awesome.

Presentation Time...

James Neesham is in for a chat. He says that it was a fantastic atmosphere and it got pretty loud towards the end. Shares that he is happy to get away with a win but there are a few things that need to be taken care of. Reckons that there is no time to get rusty and shares that he got off the plane early in the morning, took a nap and came to the game. Mentions that dew came down towards the end and it was difficult to grip the ball. Ends by saying that he hopes Khurram Shahzad takes confidence from bowling in this game.

Earlier in the innings, after being asked to bat first Peshawar Zalmi posted a massive total on the board thanks to a brilliant innings from Tom Kohler-Cadmore who missed out on his hundred by just eight runs and a well made fifty from Babar Azam. In reply, the skipper of Karachi Kings, Imad Wasim fought till the end with an unbeaten 80 off just 47 balls and a brilliant half-century from Shoaib Malik, but could not get over the line in the end.

Peshawar Zalmi will not be happy with their bowling effort here as they had a lot of runs to play with, but will relieved to be on the winning side. They started well and were quick to get through the top order of their opponents, but could not build on that. It looked like they were out of ideas and had no answer to the onslaught of Shoaib Malik and Imad Wasim, and were well below-par on the field as well dropping crucial chances.However, in the end Khurram Shahzad kept his calm and even though he bowled a No Ball, he took his side over the line. They gave away a few too many extras which is an area they need to work on. James Neesham was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets while not giving away many runs. Wahab Riaz also got a couple of wickets and Salman Irshad got one to his name. They start their campaign on a positive note.

Despite losing Sharjeel Khan for a golden duck, Karachi Kings got off to a flier courtesy of some lusty blows from Matthew Wade. It did not last long though as they soon found themselves in a big hole at 46 for 4 just after the Powerplay. However, then the two experienced batters, Imad Wasim and Shoaib Malik took the responsibility and steadied the ship by pacing their innings beautifully. They rotated the strike well and did not miss out on putting away the loose deliveries. They did have some luck on their side as well, and Malik was also dropped on 38 by Wahab Riaz. Both of them added 129 runs for the fifth wicket and took the game close, but lost Malik just at the wrong time. The asking rate was high throughout the inning, and although they managed to keep up with it and Wasim remained unbeaten on 80, they just fell short by two runs in the end. They will feel like this one just got away from them.

Khurram Shahzad emerges as the hero for Peshawar Zalmi! He successfully defends for his team and they get over the line by just two runs. This is just Match 2 in the PSL 2023, and we have already seen two thrilling games and the fans will be expecting more such matches to get their money's worth.

SIX! THAT'S IT! A six off the last ball won't be enough as Peshawar Zalmi win by 2 runs! Khurram Shahzad bowls a full toss at the stumps, Imad Wasim gets down and helps this one towards deep backward square leg region for a maximum. Imad Wasim fought till the end but it wasn't to be.

Slight halt! Khurram Shahzad got hit with the ball on his knees. The physio is in and applying the 'Magic Spray' on it. He is ready to go now...

That should do it for Peshawar Zalmi! Khurram Shahzad nails the yorker on off, Ben Cutting drills it back past the bowler. Khurram Shahzad fails to react quickly and gets hit on the left thigh. The ball deflects towards point and batters cross for a single.

Full toss on off, Imad Wasim gets cramped for room and bunts it towards mid off. Tom Kohler-Cadmore there fires a throw at the striker's end but does not hit and Imad Wasim gets home safely.

NO BALL! Would you believe it? Khurram Shahzad has overstepped! Goes yorker length again and on off, Ben Cutting clears his front leg and digs this one down to long on for a single. Free Hit coming up.

Third full toss on the trot, outside off, it was there to be hit for Imad Wasim but he drills this one straight to mid off for a single. Karachi Kings need 13 runs off the last 3 balls.

Another low full toss on leg, Ben Cutting heaves this one along the ground to deep mid-wicket for a single. Good start to the over by Khurram Shahzad.

Starts with a low full toss outside off, Imad Wasim can only drive this one towards deep cover for a single.