LAHORE: Kusal Mendis struck an unbeaten 80 off 43 balls and shared a decisive 119-run partnership with Farhan Yousaf as Peshawar Zalmi chased down 183 with seven wickets and seven balls to spare against Karachi Kings in the 32nd match of the HBL Pakistan Super League at the Gaddafi Stadium here on Wednesday evening.
Earlier, 18-year-old Ali Raza had torn through the Kings’ tail with a hat-trick in the final over to restrict them 182 for nine.
Peshawar Zalmi continued their unbeaten run with eight wins from nine matches and remain atop the standings with 17 points, while Karachi Kings remain at seventh with six points to their name and two matches more to play.
In pursuit of a steep total, Peshawar Zalmi’s chase got off to a solid start with a 37-run opening stand before Babar Azam departed inside the powerplay off Mohammad Abbas Afridi for 25 off 19 balls featuring four fours and one six.
Hasan Ali struck in the next over when James Vince (16, 10b, 2x4s, 1×6) feathered an outside edge behind to Azam Khan, reducing Zalmi to 45-2. This time he pipped Shaheen Shah Afridi from the most wicket-takers list in HBL PSL history by going to 137.
Aaron Hardie lasted just six balls for five before Khushdil Shah bowled him with an arm ball that skidded past the bat as Peshawar lost momentum, finding themselves on 67 for three in 7.3 overs.
Scores in brief:
Karachi Kings 182-9, 20 overs (Jason Roy 85, Azam Khan 35; Ali Raza 4-41)
Peshawar Zalmi 186-3, 18.5 overs (Kusal Mendis 80 not out, Farhan Yousaf 58 not out, Babar Azam 25)
Peshawar Zalmi beat Karachi Kings by seven wickets at Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore
Player of the Match: Kusal Mendis (Peshawar Zalmi)
