The Karachi Kings’ hopes for PSL 2024 glory were extinguished even before their final match against Peshawar Zalmi. With Quetta Gladiators securing a playoff spot the day before, the Kings entered the contest solely for pride. However, despite a valiant effort, they fell short by a mere two runs, ending their campaign on a disappointing note.
Zalmi, already qualified for the playoffs, opted to bat first. Their innings started shaky, but a fighting total of 147/6 emerged thanks to some disciplined bowling from the Karachi Kings. Aarafat Minhas, the young spinner, impressed with his economical spell (1-11 in 4 overs), while Hasan Ali (1-26 in 3 overs) showcased his experience.
Chasing a modest target, the Kings were pegged back early. They could only manage 145/5, falling short in a tense final over. Naveen-ul-Haq (2-22) was the pick of the bowlers for Zalmi, ably supported by Saim Ayub (1-18).
The low-scoring encounter highlighted the bowling prowess of both sides. However, the real story of the match was Azam’s solitary brilliance. The Zalmi skipper stood tall amidst the falling wickets, compiling a magnificent half-century to steer his side to victory. His knock ensured that despite their qualification, Peshawar ended the league stage on a winning note.
With the defeat, the Kings’ campaign comes to a close. Their inconsistency proved costly, leaving them with just four wins from ten matches. While they’ll be disappointed not to reach the playoffs, they can take solace in some individual performances. The focus now shifts to the knockout stages, where Zalmi will look to build on their winning momentum and continue their quest for the PSL 2024 title.
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