Sharjah, March 16 (TNS): Peshawar Zalmi piggy-backed on Kamran Akmal’s rich vein of form – to brush aside Lahore Qalandar by seven wickets and storm into the Playoffs.
Opening the batting, Akmal’s undefeated 61-ball 107 was instrumental in Peshawar gunning down the highest total in this year’s tournament so far.
Lahore elected to bat and made 172, but on a good batting surface it wasn’t going to be adequate as Peshawar strolled to the target with two overs to spare.
Right from the time Peshawar scored 20 runs off Anton Devcich, who had been responsible for Lahore’s strong batting display, in the first over of their chase, things appeared ominous for the opposition.
The dismissals of opener Riki Wessels and Dwayne Smith – in the second and seventh overs respectively – were the only bright spots for Lahore’s bowlers who copped a hammering at the hands of Akmal, who brought up his century off 59 balls. Right from the start, Akmal ensured a steady flow of boundaries – he scored 11 fours and seven sixes in all – as the chase proved a walk in the park for Peshawar.
With this win, Peshawar have climbed up to the second place in the points table and have qualified for the Playoffs. They have also knocked out Multan Sultans in the process. Lahore Qalandars slumped to their seventh defeat and finished last in what has been a forgettable season for them.
Courtesy: ESPN
