Lahore Qalandars 179/8 (20/20 ov)
Karachi Kings 172/8 (20/20 ov)
Lahore won by seven runs
SHARJAH // Four nights on from a record-breaking implosion in Dubai, Lahore Qalandars returned to HBL Pakistan Super League action as if nothing untoward had ever happened, as they beat their fiercest rivals.
The side whose ground is scheduled to host the final of this competition — whether they are there or not — beat Karachi Kings by seven runs at Sharjah Cricket Stadium.
The Lahore franchise had to quell the threat of a century partnership by Kumar Sangakkara and Shoaib Malik, but they were good value for their success.
Not for the first time in this competition, the match was just as conspicuous for those who missed out as those who performed.
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Collectively, Chris Gayle, Brendon McCullum, Kevin Pietersen and Mohammed Hafeez have the experience of over 900 matches of Twenty20 cricket. They will have each accrued a pretty fortune in doing so, too.
And yet between them, they have managed to contribute a measly 68 runs in 13 innings so far to PSL 2017. For the league’s paymasters, it must be hoped things can only get better for the headline attractions.
This time it was McCullum, who made nought for Lahore, and Gayle, who notched just five at the top of the order for Karachi, who fluffed their lines.
While McCullum has been misfiring with the bat, to the tune of ducks in successive matches, at least his team are starting to play in his happy-go-lucky image.
Last time out, they had a shocker of record proportions, all out for 59 in 62 deliveries. Given the personality of their leader, it was little surprise they had shed that memory by the time they arrived at the UAE’s oldest cricket venue for a match against their city’s oldest rivals.
Worry about last time? Why worry? Within the six power-play overs at the start of their innings, Lahore had already bettered their total from their previous outing.
Again their star, in more auspicious circumstances this time, was Fakhar Zaman. McCullum might not have known who his No 3 batsman was when they were first introduced ahead of this tournament, given Zaman is one of the many nondescripts trying to make their name via the PSL.
At this moment in time, though, he might be the Qalandars captain’s favourite player, seeing how he is performing for his side.
Having scored over 50 per cent of his team’s runs in the defeat to Peshawar Zalmi in Dubai, Zaman was the star turn again.
His 56 from 36 deliveries included smiting Imad Wasim for six over square leg off the very first ball he faced. His effort was the basis for Lahore’s total of 179 for eight from their 20 overs.
Karachi did threaten, as Sangakkara, who played more matches in the Masters Champions League at this ground last season than he did the PSL, scored his first half-century in 10 T20 matches.
Once he had been bowled by Sohail Tanvir, though, the Kings challenge fell flat.
pradley@thenational.ae
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