Kusal Mendis played a pivotal role in Peshawar Zalmi’s victory over Karachi Kings in the Pakistan Super League, scoring an impressive 80 runs off just 43 deliveries. His performance was instrumental in guiding the team to a successful chase of 183 runs, ultimately winning the match by seven wickets with seven balls to spare at Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore.
The match took a dramatic turn when 18-year-old Ali Raza showcased his bowling prowess by claiming a hat trick in the final over, restricting Karachi Kings to 182 runs for nine wickets. This impressive feat marked him as the youngest player to achieve a hat trick in the PSL and the youngest Pakistani to do so in T20 cricket, surpassing Mohammad Hasnain’s record from 2019.
Batting first, Karachi Kings appeared to be in a strong position at 161 for three wickets before the batting order collapsed, losing the last six wickets for just 21 runs. This late surge from Zalmi’s bowling unit proved crucial at a decisive moment in the game.
Peshawar Zalmi’s continued success in the tournament has established them at the top of the standings with eight wins from nine matches, accumulating 17 points. In contrast, Karachi Kings are struggling, positioned at seventh place with only six points and still facing the prospect of two additional matches in the regular season.
In summary, Peshawar Zalmi displayed a dominant performance, highlighted by Mendis’ innings and Raza’s impressive bowling. Their position in the league reflects their consistency, while Karachi Kings will need to regroup and find ways to improve as the tournament progresses.
Brief scores
- Peshawar Zalmi beat Karachi Kings by seven wickets.
- Karachi Kings: 182-9 in 20 overs (Jason Roy 85, Azam Khan 35; Ali Raza 4-41)
- Peshawar Zalmi: 186-3 in 18.5 overs (Kusal Mendis 80 not out, Farhan Yousaf 58 not out, Babar Azam 25)
- Player of the Match: Kusal Mendis (Peshawar Zalmi)