that's the game. Advances down the track to a full and wide one outside off and flays it through point
Qalandars vs Zalmi, 29th Match at Sharjah, Mar 16 2018 - Match Result
Zalmi won by 7 wickets (with 12 balls remaining)
Alright then, that's a wrap of this game then. But before I go, let me break down what's at stake in the next game. As of now, Lahore are the only team definitively out. Islamabad stay on top no matter what happens. A win for Karachi takes them up to second. But if Karachi lose by 16 runs or more, or with two-plus overs remaining, they sip below Multan who will qualify. So lots at stake there, so do switch over tabs. From me, it's goodbye!
6.57pm Wow, that was fleeting. That was sensational. And that was head-spinning batting. Kamran Akmal with one of the finest, most power-packed T20 innings you'll ever see. And he had to battle cramps, too, mind you. But there was not a thing he could do wrong tonight. Lahore's bowlers crumbled horrendously in the face of his onslaught and bowled outrageously bad, but that's not to take anything away from Kamran Akmal. A target of 173 has been mowed down with seeming ease, and Peshawar Zalmi rise to second place and qualify for the playoffs. It was a must-win game for them, and the determination showed.
Presentation time.
Kamran Akmal collects the Hanif Mohammad cap first up, for shooting to the top of the run charts. He is also the Man of the Match. Obviously! "It was such a big total, given the pitch, but there was good confidence," he says. "And the coach gave me reassurance. Hafeez motivated me after I reached 74, saying century should be possible. My family, too, has motivated me. Just wanted to play positively and depending on the ball. Such a big total can only be chased down when you have a good partnership. T20 orwhatever the format, I just try to give 100 percent. I didn't start well this season again, but the confidence was given to me, and that is essential."
"It was an outstanding innings, we know how brilliant Kamran Akmal can be on his day," says Lahore captain Brendon McCullum." I thought the total was good, but that century was fantastic. We've seen over the last four games that the team's started to understand what it's about. The young guys have stood out and we've got some quality players for the future. We can walk away with our heads high."
"In every team you have match-winners," says Zalmi captain Darren Sammy. "Sometimes, when they don't come up with the goods, you doubt them. But in this team, we never doubt our match-winners, and Kamran is one of them. If you back your ability and stay calm, my job is to stay calm.. to chase down 170 the way we did, just shows we have champions' quality. We respected every team from the start, we were dealt two crucial blows at the start. But the team showed character."
outside edge for four. And smartly done by the batsman. He took a step towards leg stump to lure the bowler into firing it outside off. But he never actually moved, shuffles towards the line and deliberately plays off the outside edge past the keeper
full, wide, driven to point who dives and gets a hand to it to take off the momentum
short again, this one gets up more, he controls a pull to deep fine leg
shot! Huge, huge hit. Short, angling in from outside off. That's width and angle: basically, everything you need to do that - a muscular pull over deep square leg
short of a length, opens the face and defends to point
short on middle and leg, pulled to deep fine leg. There's no stopping him tonight, is there?
is that the hundred? Yes, it is. Second PSL century for him. Two out of the three in PSL history now belong to him. This was ripe to get the hundred, a useless short ball. He's going to close his eyes and thump you when in this form. Pulled to the left of deep backward square leg
shortish, mistimes a pull to wide long-on
short of a length, angling in, turns around and helps it along to deep fine leg
full, driven to the right of sweeper. 150 comes up
full on off, driven in front of mid-off and Akmal makes a dash for it like his life depended on it
Nader Abbas: "Believe me this lad Shaheen is ready for his debut against Windies!Will be a great moment for him to make debut for his national side at Karachi if he is entrusted by selectors!"
flicked towards midwicket and Yasir runs across to pick it up. Kamran refuses the single
some respite for Lahore, even if it's the wicket of the less dangerous batsman. Hafeez backs away to cut but it's too close and not quite short. Inside-edges as it keeps a little low and loses his stumps
dropped. Should have been taken, really. Short and not turning away much, Akmal pulls to deep midwicket where McClenaghan dives forward but it keeps slightly low and he spills it
short and wide, cut to point
Yasir now slides one into Akmal's middle and leg stumps and Akmal charges down before carting him straight over long-on. Moves to 95
sixth six for Akmal, and it comes with the favoured slog sweep. Thumped well into the stands at deep midwicket
miles, miles in the air. Shaheen calls for it and doesn't get a hand. Extremely tough chance. He had to run to his right. But ends up over-running and then arches back with reverse-cupped hands to make up for it
full, wide, slower, no effort to get close to it as he swings and misses
1W | ||||
1W | ||||
2W | ||||
Sharjah Cricket Stadium | |
Toss | Lahore Qalandars, elected to bat first |
Series | |
Season | 2017/18 |
Player Of The Match | |
Match days | 16 March 2018 - daynight (20-over match) |
Umpires | |
TV Umpire | |
Reserve Umpire | |
Match Referee | |
Points | Peshawar Zalmi 2, Lahore Qalandars 0 |
Over 18 • PZ 176/3
Zalmi won by 7 wickets (with 12 balls remaining)