Babar Azam led Peshawar Zalmi picked up a thrilling two-run victory over Karachi Kings in the second match of the Pakistan Super League 2023 on Tuesday.
Babar, who squared off against the Kings for the first time after leaving the side last year, scored a brilliant 68 off 40 deliveries while Tom Kohler-Cadmore smashed 92 off just 50 balls, as Peshawar put up a massive score of 199/5 in 20 overs. In response, the Karachi Kings fell just two runs short despite a brilliant crack from skipper Imad Wasim (80*) and Shoaib Malik (52).
Karachi Kings had won the toss and invited Peshawar to bat first, with Muhammad Haris smashing Mohammad Amir for a brilliant boundary to begin the innings. Babar also smashed a solid cover drive against Amir in the first over. The two stars came face to face again in the sixth over of the match where Amir drifted off his line, bowling a rather easier delivery down the leg side. Babar merely flicked the ball away to the boundary line, adding to Amir's frustration.
Here's the video:
Mohammad Amir vs Babar Azam💥#HBLPSL8 #PSL2023 #KkvPz #PzvKk pic.twitter.com/fLXOND5XH7
— Muhammad Noman (@nomanedits) February 14, 2023
On the following delivery, Babar played a defensive shot straight at Amir and the bowler, unable to hold his frustration, threw the ball in direction of the batsman.
Mohammad Amir ended the innings with an expensive outing, giving away 42 runs in four overs without a wicket. Imad Wasim also conceded as many runs in three overs. For Peshawar, James Neesham registered figures of 2/26 in four overs.
Wasim and veteran Shoaib Malik stitched a 131-run partnership and raised the home team's hopes, however the side eventually fell short in a dramatic run-chase.
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