SHARJAH, United Arab Emirates, CMC – Captain Darren Sammy’s late cameo helped Peshewar Zalmi beat Karachi Kings by 44 runs and keep alive their playoff hopes in the Pakistan Super League here Thursday.
The two-time Twenty20 World Cup-winning skipper lashed a whirlwind unbeaten 36 from 15 balls as Zalmi posted 181 for six after opting to bat first at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
Opener Kamran Akmal top-scored with 75 from 51 deliveries while Saad Nasim weighed in with 35 from 18 balls.
Mohammed Hafeez fell without scoring in the second over with three runs on the board but Akmal and former Barbados and West Indies opener Dwayne Smith (15) added 43 to revive the innings.
At the fall of Akmal’s wicket in the 16th over, Dammy arrived to belt two fours and four giant sixes, in a frenetic 42-run, fifth wicket partnership with Nasim.
Left-arm seamer Usman Khan was the best bowler with three for 11 from his four overs.
In reply, Babar Azam stroked 66 at the top of the order but lacked support as Kings ended on 137 for eight off their 20 overs.
Englishman Liam Dawson claimed three for 17 from four overs of left-arm spin, to negate the Kings batting threat.
Zalmi, fifth on eight points, now need to also beat Lahore Qalanders today if they are to stand any chance of a playoff spot
