PSL 2018: Peshawar Zalmi beat Karachi Kings in Eliminator 2. (Source: Twitter/Peshawar Zalmi)
Kamran Akmal’s record-breaking 77 off 27 deliveries helped Peshawar Zalmi to beat Karachi Kings by 13 runs at the Gaddafi Stadium on Wednesday and reach the Pakistan Super League (PSL) final, where they will defend their crown against Islamabad United. Zalmi set a towering 171-run target for Karachi Kings in a match that was reduced to 16 overs due to rain. Denly and Azam hit half-centuries but could not help their side against Zalmi bowlers, who ensured their place in the final.
PSL 2018, Karachi Kings vs Peshawar Zalmi: Highlights
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Peshawar Zalmi beat Karachi Kings by 13 runs in a high-scoring match to enter the final of PSL 2018, where they will be defending their crown.
Hasan Ali to Babar Azam, out Caught by Liam Dawson! Azam looks to clear mid-wicket with a swiveling swipe but gets the placement terminally wrong. KK 140/2
KRK are 121/1 after 13 overs and need 50 runs in 3 overs to win this match. It is difficult but possible.
What a beautiful way to reach half-century! It is Denly's 50 now, coming off 34 balls. The duo need to get quicker runs.
50 comes up for Babar Azam off 35 balls
Denly drills two successive fours to keep Karachi in the game. Denly and Babar need to accelerate or it will all be over for their side.
Jordan back into attack in the ninth over as Karachi Kings 77/1 after 9 overs. Denly 33*, Babar 37* carrying Kings' campaign as they stitch a 50-run partnership.
Required run-rate has escalated to 13+ runs per over for Karach iKings... They need some couple of boundaries at this point!
Karachi Kings need 107 runs to win from 8.2 overs against Peshawar Zalmi. Can they do it?
And that gets Karachi past the 50 run mark with six overs played. Denly flicks the ball from outside the off stump and over the ropes at mid-wicket.
Karachi Kings are 44/1 after 5-over powerplay. They need 127 runs in 62 balls and are behind the required run-rate of 12.18
Babar holds his shape and cuts it perfectly to the point boundary after a slow delivery by Azman
Babar Azman times the ball well in the air for six runs after Jordan throws a straight one. It allows Azam to flixk the ball off his legs. This is his first boundary of the innings.
Denly gets a much needed boundary as he drives the ball away for a maximum. This is the first six of the innings.
Peshawar Zalmi strike ealry and they have an early breakthrough. Outside edge in the air uncontrolled to slips, by Sammy.
Karachi Kings begin the chase in a positive manner scoring 13 runs in the very first over. They need to maintain this scoring rate to go over the line.
Peshawar Zalmi lose three wickets in last over and score 11 runs. They end the innings at 170/7 in 16 overs. Riding on Kamran Akmal, Peshawar have put a brilliant total on the boadr and they just need to stick to the basics to make a place in final.
Peshawar Zalmi have lost three consecutive wickets in the last over after scoring 10 runs in first two balls. How far they can go now ?
That is a no-ball and has gone for a six. A yorker length delivery from Usman, Sammy clears his right leg and hits is for a maximum with full force. They have brought up 150 and this is surely a good total on this wicket
WICKET! Ravi Bopara continues to take wickets and this is the third one for him. Hafeez is gone and he has been caught and bowled. This is certainly a comeback for Karachi Kings. With three overs left after this one, Peshawar would be looking to accelerate a bit from here on.
WICKET! Kamran Akmal departs and Karachi Kings have the biggest wicket in the match. Akmal was looking so dangerous but he missed that shot completely and Mukhtar Ahmed took a good catch
WICKET! Karachi Kings have the first wicket. Ravi Bopara gets rid off Andre Fletcher who has been caught in the dep by Denly for 34
SIX! Another maximum and that brings up Kamran Akmal's 50 in 17 deliveries. What a knock this has been from the right-hander. He has been in sublime form and the right-hand batsman is showing his class.
It was brilliant end to the 6th over.
6, 4, 4, 4, 6, 1...That's how Usman Khan's last over reads. Karman Akmal took on the left-hander and struck 25 runs in that one.
SIX! Another one and this time it's Kamran Akmal who has smashed with some authority over mid wicket boundary. With that six, he equals the record of most number of maximums in this edition of PSL alongside Shane Watson
SIX! Fletcher comes down the track, uses the pace of ball and that has gone over third man boundary for another six. Peshawar Zalmi are 25/0
SIX! That's the first maximum of the night and Kamran Akmal has dispatched that one over long off boundary. Peshawar are 15/0 after 2. He was out for a duck in the last match and would be hoping to get among the runs now.
Peshawar Zalmi openers are out in the middle. Kamran Akmal is with Andre Fletcher who failed in the last game but he has been in good form. Mohammad Amir has the ball in his hands and not to forget he is also leading the team
The match has been reduced to 16 overs aside. Karachi Kings have won the toss and they have elected to bowl. We have lost some overs in this match and rain no more plays a spoil sport
The groundstaff are doing well. It is looking better than the last time we inspected it. Hopefully we will have the toss at 19:45 PM PKT and start the game by 20:15 PM PKT: Aleem Dar
Yesterday, there was a halt just after four balls and today there is a delay in toss. We hope that the skipper come out soon for the toss and we have a full game
Make that two helicopters. PCB leaving no stone unturned in ensuring the game starts on time and returning of PSL to Pakistan goes off as planned. Thousands in the stands would be extremely pleased!
As much as the focus is expected to be on the pitch and the ground, it will be on the heavens above. Huge rain clouds over Lahore. It poured in the morning leaving huge puddles in the outfield. But the drainage system has done its job to reduce it significantly. Whatever was left, has been fixed thanks to a helicopter. No really!
Hello and Good Evening for our live coverage of the Pakistan Super League. We've reached the penultimate game stage in the competition with the Eliminator 2 to decide who goes on to play the final. It is between Karachi Kings and Peshawar Zalmi in Lahore. Peshawar come into the game on the back of a nervous Eliminator last night - winning by just 1 run.