The Karachi Kings got their Pakistan Super League title defence off to the best possible start as they cruised to a seven-wicket victory over the Quetta Gladiators.
The Kings won the toss and elected to field first. Their choice to do so proved to be inspired, when after just four balls Tom Banton skied an Imad Wasim delivery and as a result was caught by fellow Englishman Joe Clarke. Quetta ever-present Sarfaraz Ahmed was dismissed soon after, wicket-keeper Clarke catching again, to leave the Gladiators on 17-2 after just 16 balls.
Chris Gayle was able to find his rhythm against the Kings’ bowling attack – and found particular success flicking his shots down the off side. Gayle, who was 41 last September, was the first batsman ever to hit 1,000 sixes in T20 cricket and is showing no signs of slowing down – adding two more to his collection on Saturday.
However, just as he was beginning to look settled a short ball from Dan Christian caught him out and his shot went straight into the welcoming arms of Mohammad Amir. Gayle was out for just 39 and this huge breakthrough left the Gladiators at 68-4. It looked as if a collapse was on the cards with 68 balls left in the innings.
As it turned out, 39 was the highest score attained by any Gladiators player on the night. Next after Gayle in terms of totals were Azam Khan – who left the field with 17 runs, Qais Ahmad – who was caught behind by Clarke for 16 runs and Ben Cutting – who was clean bowled by the 20-year-old Arshad Iqbal. Quetta were all out for 121 with 18.2 overs played, and the Kings headed in to pad up knowing they had an achievable target to chase.
Nottinghamshire’s Clarke carried his superb fielding form that saw him take four catches as keeper into the crease, as he scored a superb 46 off 23 balls for the Kings in a knock that included six fours and three sixes.
He, like Gayle, faced an early introduction when Sharjeel Khan was given LBW off Mohammad Hasnain following a review from the batsman after just four balls. Clarke’s superb day came to an abrupt end when he was caught at long-on by Khan trying to slot a Usman Shinwari delivery into the slot.
Babar Azam also performed solidly and although he’d have liked a few more runs than the 24 he was able to attain, he became the highest run scorer in PSL history when he smashed Qais’ delivery through cow corner for a four. That took his total to 23 for the day and 1,538 overall, past Kamran Akmal on 1537 – who’ll have a chance to regain his record when his Peshawar Zalmi side play away to Lahore Qalandars on Sunday.
Azam was dismissed soon after passing the record mark and was replaced by Mohammad Nabi at the crease – whose total of 30, combined with Colin Ingram’s 17, was enough to take the Kings past the 121 mark. They won with a thunderous six from Nabi and it was Karachi’s biggest ever win in terms of deliveries remaining in the innings (37).
Quetta face a quick turnaround before their next game, playing away in Lahore on Monday afternoon (2pm UK time).
The Kings have slightly longer to recover, their next fixture comes on Wednesday, February 24 (14:00 UK time) when they host Islamabad United.
