SHARJAH, FEB 20, (DNA) – Karachi Kings defeated Peshawar Zalmi by nine runs in their high-octane Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2017 encounter in Sharjah.

Being sent to bat first by Peshawar Zalmi, Karachi Kings amassed 174/4 on the scoreboard in their given 20 overs as Shoaib Malik was the stand out performer for the team with the bat. The former captain made 51 runs off 27 deliveries with four boundaries and three sixes to his name.

The opening duo of Kumar Sangakkara and Babar Azam also put up a 72-run stand at the first wicket.

Azam made 46 runs from 38 balls with the help of six boundaries and a maximum. Sangakkara scored 28 runs off 22 balls with three fours to his name.

Ravi Bopara also contributed 30 runs with the bat after hitting two boundaries and two maximums.

Iftikhar Ahmed grabbed two wickets for Zalmi while Shakib Al Hasan and Imran Khan Jr. also grabbed a wicket each.

Chasing a target of 175 runs in their 20 overs, Peshawar Zalmi fell nine runs short as they were all out for 165 runs in 19.5 overs.

Zalmi’s former skipper Shahid Afridi made 54 runs off 28 balls with three boundaries and five sixes to his name.

Captain Darren Sammy made 34 runs from 26 balls with the help of a four and three maximums.

Shakib Al Hasan, Tamim Iqbal and Kamran Akmal made 18, 16 and 14 runs respectively for the team.

Karachi Kings bowlers Sohail Khan, Usman Shinwari grabbed three wickets each while Usama Mir dismissed two batsmen. Imad Wasim and Shoaib Malik also got a wicket.

Shoaib Malik was named Player of the match for his performance with the bat.

After the win over Peshawar Zalmi, Karachi Kings have moved upto fourth place from the fifth position after winning two out of their five matches.