The Pakistan Super League (PSL) is off to a fiery start with two back-to-back blockbuster games in the season’s first two games. First, it was the opener featuring Lahore Qalandars and Multan Sultans, a match that Qalandars clinched by one-single run. Next, it was Peshawar Zalmi and Karachi Kings who took it upon themselves to drop yet another nail-biter as Karachi Kings failed at a 200-run chase by three runs handing the Zalmi a very close 2-run win.
Earlier in the opener, India batter Virat Kohli also managed to get a share of the limelight as some of his Pakistani fans entered the stadium with special banners for the run machine. Speaking of the game, the Multan Sultans missed out on their target of 176 runs, falling short by a narrow two runs. Fakhar Zaman and Mohammad Rizwan’s show with the willow kept the fans well-entertained as Sultans’ leg-spinner, Usama Mir, displayed clinical bowling with two scalps in his four overs, conceding just 25 runs.
Peshawar Zalmi clinched a narrow 2-run win vs Karachi Kings
In game 2, the Karachi Kings won the toss, forcing Zalmi to bat first. Riding on skipper Babar Azam’s 68 off 46 and Tom Kohler-Cadmore’s exceptional 92 off 50, the Zalmi managed to set a target of 200 runs for the Kings, losing just five wickets on the way. Mir Hamza was a key performer for the Kings, who picked up a wicket while conceding runs at an economy of just 6.5 and also run out the dangerous Saim Ayub.
In reply, the Kings got off to a shaky start, with opener Sharjeel Khan dismissed for a golden duck. Matthew Wade, with 23, was the top scorer in their top order. Luckily, Shoaib Malik and skipper Imad Wasim were in their element as they tried to rescue the Kings’ innings, getting them closer to the target. Malik was dismissed at the score of 177 in the second delivery of the 19th over. Wasim did his best to get the Kings over the finish line but fell short by just three runs at the end.
The close encounter compelled fans to share their views about the exceptional cricket on display at the PSL. Here are some top tweets:
Mulk ko bechnai walai King ka L kai topi k barabar bhi nahi hai
— Au?ab A?ridi ?? (@iAuqabAfridi) February 15, 2023
Lkn Peshawar zalmi ki bowling 0 hai
— Shafiq Afridi (@with_shafiq) February 15, 2023
Thank you admin for this.
Ap ny hmaraa dil jeet liya.?? pic.twitter.com/O2cgJfHS4W— Green Shirts (@Pak_Pakistan45) February 15, 2023
Haider hamesha isi tarha hi out q hota h
— Moheeb Malik (@MoheeburReh71) February 15, 2023
Love You Zalmi ? ? @PeshawarZalmi #YellowStorm #ZKingdom #kkvspz #HBLPSL8 #HBLPSL2023 https://t.co/jhsv6UFuKc
— Fawad Ahmad ?? (@fawadrk7) February 15, 2023
Admin Dil khush kr ditaaa ??
— Moiz Ashraf (@mueez97) February 15, 2023
We need more tailenders like Babar ???
— ? ? ? ? ? ??|MS?| (@_WTF_Nabeel_) February 15, 2023
Well played imad and amir i will still support u bcz i m not like ghanta e azam fan, he will include his friends and lose every cup , you and amir will bash them next time
— He Tweets (@cricket7tweets) February 15, 2023
