Karachi Pulls Off A Nail-biting Victory
Muhammad Rameez Published February 25, 2017 | 10:35 PM
ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 25th Feb, 2017 ) : Karachi Kings kept alive their chances of qualifying for the play-offs with a last-ball six from Kieron Pollard for a five-wicket win over Lahore Qalandars in Match 18 of the HBL PSL 2017 at Dubai International Stadium on Saturday.
Karachi Kings kept alive their chances of qualifying for the play-offs with a last-ball six from Kieron Pollard for a five-wicket win over Lahore Qalandars in Match 18 of the HBL PSL 2017 at Dubai International Stadium on Saturday.
Needing 10 off the last two balls bowled by Aamer Yamin, Pollard whacked two towering sixes to break Lahore hearts and live to fight another day in a thriller in Dubai. Kings are virtually through to the last four stage and only a massive defeat at the hands of Islamabad United tomorrow will send them packing.
The match winning shot triggered wild celebrations in the Kings' camp as well as their section of supporters that had packed the Dubai International Stadium. Chasing a target of 156, opener Babar Azam led the charge with a brisk 49 which contained seven boundaries.
Kings had seemingly lost track of their chase after Babar Azam was dismissed for 49, Mahela Jayawardene brought into the eleven at the expense of Chris Gayle, Shoaib Malik and Ravi Bopara were all dismissed run out.
Pollard hit four sixes and one four in his 20 ball 45 run innings while Imad Wasim remained undefeated on 19, the two added 55 runs in their unbroken partnership that helped Kings earn their immensely valuable two points.
Kings have six points from seven games while Qalandars end their campaign with six from eight games. "I told Imad to keep a cool head. It is important to make contact with the ball and keep calm.
It is just a cricket match," said Pollard who said he just executed what he has been practising. "I just managed to get ball to bat. I had belief in myself. The pressure was always there," said the West Indian who celebrated the win by doing push-ups Misbah style in a "spur of the moment" decision.
Qalandars captain Brendon McCullum described Pollard as an "incredible" player. "It was a cracking match. An entertaining one which was decided on a couple of key moments. Unfortunately we came out second," said the former New Zealand captain.
"You cannot blame Yameen. It's just that Pollard played a couple of incredible shots. Now we have to wait and see the outcome of the last game which is beyond our control," said McCullum as Qalandars slid to the bottom of the table while Lahore leap-frogged to fourth place on a better net run rate with a match in hand.
Earlier, Lahore recovered to make 155 for six after being into bat. Qalandars were stuttering at 100 for six in the 15th over despite a breezy 31 with five boundaries from skipper Brendon McCullum at the start of the innings.
An unbroken stand of 55 between Mohammad Rizwan (32) and Sohail Tanvir (22) helped Lahore set Karachi a challenging target. Shoaib Malik was the pick of the bowlers claiming two for 21 while Usama Mir's took two for 38.
Related Topics
Recent Stories
Dubai Police Marks International Workers' Day with 'Talabat' Riders
Sharjah Ruler inaugurates 15th annual Sharjah Children’s Reading Festival
Parineeti Chopra opens up about her decision to marry politician Raghav Chadha
PCB decides to set up training camp for national team ahead of England, Ireland ..
Virat Kohli's sweet birthday wish for Anushka Sharma
Interior Minister commends Pakistan Coast Guards
Pakistan women’s squad announced for England tour
Punjab CM Maryam inaugurates initiative of field hospitals
PM Shehbaz constitutes committee to investigate caretaker govt’s wheat import ..
Women T20I: Pakistan to face West Indies in fourth match tomorrow
Pak-UK 6th Regional Stabilization Conference underway at NDU, Islamabad
World Labor Day being observed today
More Stories From Sports
-
LESCO wins All Wapda Inter Unit Kabaddi Tournament
7 hours ago -
PCB decides to set up training camp for national team ahead of England, Ireland tours
10 hours ago -
Virat Kohli's sweet birthday wish for Anushka Sharma
11 hours ago -
Pakistan women’s squad announced for England tour
13 hours ago -
FATA stun Peshawar Blue in Standing Cricket, Hazara secure win in Wheal-Chair Cricket
13 hours ago -
Punjab, KP leading National Table Tennis League
14 hours ago
-
Women T20I: Pakistan to face West Indies in fourth match tomorrow
17 hours ago -
Special Person Games begins
1 day ago -
Ambassador Blome hosts Pakistan Team ahead of T20 World Cup in US
1 day ago -
Tennis: ATP/WTA Madrid Open results - 1st update
1 day ago -
KP Handball gets new office-bearers for next 4-years term
1 day ago -
Wasim Akram touches fans’ hearts by new look
1 day ago