Akmal's 107* powers Peshawar into knockouts
Peshawar Zalmi piggy-backed on Kamran Akmal's fourth T20 century, and second fifty-plus score in as many days, to brush aside Lahore Qalandars by seven wickets
Peshawar Zalmi piggy-backed on Kamran Akmal's fourth T20 century, and second fifty-plus score in as many days, to brush aside Lahore Qalandars by seven wickets
Scorer: @Cricket_Lama | Commentator: Akshay Gopalakrishnan
Alright then, that's a wrap of this game then. But before I go, let me break down what's at stake in the next game. As of now, Lahore are the only team definitively out. Islamabad stay on top no matter what happens. A win for Karachi takes them up to second. But if Karachi lose by 16 runs or more, or with two-plus overs remaining, they sip below Multan who will qualify. So lots at stake there, so do switch over tabs. From me, it's goodbye!
6.57pm Wow, that was fleeting. That was sensational. And that was head-spinning batting. Kamran Akmal with one of the finest, most power-packed T20 innings you'll ever see. And he had to battle cramps, too, mind you. But there was not a thing he could do wrong tonight. Lahore's bowlers crumbled horrendously in the face of his onslaught and bowled outrageously bad, but that's not to take anything away from Kamran Akmal. A target of 173 has been mowed down with seeming ease, and Peshawar Zalmi rise to second place and qualify for the playoffs. It was a must-win game for them, and the determination showed.
Presentation time.
Kamran Akmal collects the Hanif Mohammad cap first up, for shooting to the top of the run charts. He is also the Man of the Match. Obviously! "It was such a big total, given the pitch, but there was good confidence," he says. "And the coach gave me reassurance. Hafeez motivated me after I reached 74, saying century should be possible. My family, too, has motivated me. Just wanted to play positively and depending on the ball. Such a big total can only be chased down when you have a good partnership. T20 orwhatever the format, I just try to give 100 percent. I didn't start well this season again, but the confidence was given to me, and that is essential."
"It was an outstanding innings, we know how brilliant Kamran Akmal can be on his day," says Lahore captain Brendon McCullum." I thought the total was good, but that century was fantastic. We've seen over the last four games that the team's started to understand what it's about. The young guys have stood out and we've got some quality players for the future. We can walk away with our heads high."
"In every team you have match-winners," says Zalmi captain Darren Sammy. "Sometimes, when they don't come up with the goods, you doubt them. But in this team, we never doubt our match-winners, and Kamran is one of them. If you back your ability and stay calm, my job is to stay calm.. to chase down 170 the way we did, just shows we have champions' quality. We respected every team from the start, we were dealt two crucial blows at the start. But the team showed character."
Peshawar Zalmi piggy-backed on Kamran Akmal's fourth T20 century, and second fifty-plus score in as many days, to brush aside Lahore Qalandars by seven wickets