DUBAI — Saeed Ajmal stole the show in PSL when Islamabad United defended 132 against Karachi Kings in a last-ball thriller and won the match by two runs Sunday.
Ajmal, who struck with the first ball of his first over, dealt a double blow in the 15th over to finish with 3 for 27.
With this win, Islamabad secured its first points in the Pakistan Super League, after two straight losses.
Bopara, who had taken two wickets with his slow rollers and cutters, forced the pace with the bat, hitting an unbeaten 32 off 19 balls, but couldn't get his side over the line.
Earlier in the day, Islamabad had endured a collapse of its own. It gave away five wickets for only 19 runs. But a 45-run partnership between Sharjeel Khan and Khalid Latif, and late blows from Mohammad Sami pushed Islamabad to 132.
Scores:
United 132-8 (Sharjeel Kahan 28, Khalid latif 39, M. Sami 20 not out; Bopara 2-25).
Kings 130-9 (Imad Wasim 29, Shakib Al Hasan 20, Iftikhar Ahmed 19, Bopara 32 not out; Saeed Ajmal 3-27).
Easy win for Zalmi
Peshawar Zalmi's bowling attack choked Lahore Qalandars to 117 for 6 to set up a nine-wicket victory Saturday.
Despite having batting stars like Chris Gayle, Umar Akmal, Azhar Ali and Dwayne Bravo, Lahore struggled against Zalmi’s bowling led by Shahid Afridi, Mohammad Asghar and Junaid Khan.
Azhar Ali (31), Umar Akmal (21) and DJ Bravo (32) helped Lahore last the full quota of overs. Left-arm spinner Mohammad Asghar picked up 2-11. Afridi finished with 0-18 from his four overs.
In reply, Peshawar openers Tamim Iqbal (55 not out) and Mohammad Hafeez (43) made the target too little to chase. They added 95 in 68 balls.
Scores:
Qalandars 117-6 (A. Ali 31, U. Akmal 21, DJ Bravo 32; M. Asghar 2-11).
Zalmi 118-1 in 16 overs (T. Iqbal 55, M. Hafeez 43).
Flower backs PSL
Former Zimbabwe captain and ex England coach Andy Flower Sunday says the Pakistan Twenty20 league can benefit the country's budding players in the same way Indians has benefitted from its league.
The 47-year-old, who is now looking after England's youth side and is serving as Peshawar team coach in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), said: "I think this tournament will be very good for Pakistan's youngsters in the way the IPL (Indian Premier League) is being very good for Indian cricket."
"I think there are five excellent sides and we should have brilliant cricket over the next couple of weeks and we have seen skilful performance and there is a lot of talent."
The PSL have 69 local and 29 foreign players, with high profile names in West Indian Chris Gayle and Darren Sammy, former England batsman Kevin Pieteresen and Australia's Shane Watson.
The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) aims to boost the national team — currently eighth in one-day and seventh in Twenty20 rankings — and to groom some young players.
"I think it's an interesting initiative by PCB and its important for Pakistan cricket and that it is a success. It has started successfully," said Flower, who played 63 Tests and 213 one-day for Zimbabwe during an illustrious career. — Agencies
