Babar, Wasim and Amir put Karachi in the PSL final after dramatic Super Over
Karachi Kings did what had been on the cards for most of the game. But boy did they take the scenic route.
Karachi Kings did what had been on the cards for most of the game. But boy did they take the scenic route.
Scorer: Venkat Raghav | Commentator: @saurabh_42
7.32 pm: Whew. That brings us to the end of the first half of today's games. What a way for the PSL to re-start. This match had everything almost - good bowling, fightbacks, thrilling twists and a blockbuster finish. The last time we had one Super Over on a double-header weekend, the second game produced two Super Overs. So make sure you don't miss out on our live commentary for the Eliminator between Lahore Qalandars and Peshawar Zalmi.
Imad Wasim: "I have no idea (what went wrong). When Babar got out, I didn't play 14 balls and the other guys kept getting out. We never win easily, we make a twist out of every game but a win is a win. Special credit to Amir (for the Super Over), to me he's one of the best bowlers in the world. The local guys had played cricket for a while but the overseas guys most of them hadn't played. Credit to them for coming here. I think we dropped a couple of catches, so we need to improve that. But we're in final so very happy about that. I want to dedicate this win to Dean Jones. If he was here, he would have been very happy. We're going to play the final for Deano again."
Shan Masood: Credit to Karachi, they bowled really well and put us under pressure. In a playoff game when you put any score on the board, our message was to fight. Unfortunately we'll have to come back tomorrow. We made a lot of mistakes today so the positive sign is that we put up a fight despite making all these mistakes. We always stayed in the game. Tomorrow if we can rectify these mistakes we will be on the winning side. He (Tanvir) has done really well, hopefully we can put up a good show tomorrow."
Babar Azam is the Man of the Match. "This is the beauty of T20, the match can change anytime. We thought we had it won, but until you finish the match, it's not over. In the first innings it was a bit slow but in the second innings, the pitch was good for batting, with the ball coming on under the lights. Whatever cricket you play, you need to keep a positive mindset and know how to switch on. I try to do what's best for the team."
Presentations coming up.
7.20 pm: Karachi looked to be in complete control when Babar Azam was batting, but even though just over a run a ball was needed when he got out, they fell apart a bit. Imad Wasim ensured he dragged them to a Super Over. Multan's innings was held together by Bopara, with Tanvir giving the finishing kick, including 19 runs off the final over. That nearly looked to be match-turning, but Karachi held on.
Sohail Tanvir: I guess we didn't bat smartly. 140 wasn't enough. Credit goes to the way we bowled and fielded, we almost had it. But that's T20. If I talk about my own performances, I think I was spot on. From the new ball to the old ball, I took wickets and was economical as well. We thought today 140 we have given ourselves a chance and can defend it. Unfortunately we ended up on the losing side but this would give us confidence for tomorrow (for Qualifier 2).
7.12 pm: Karachi had it in their hands for large parts, then let it slip, then clawed their way back. What a rollercoaster. You could say they've done it for Dean Jones.
Surely has to be Amir to bowl the Super Over for Karachi. And it is him. Who will bat for Multan?
Ravi Bopara, who held their innings together, is coming out, alongside Rilee Rossouw
SE Rutherford c Bopara b Sohail Tanvir
Sharjeel Khan c Lyth b Sohail Tanvir
Sharjeel and Sherfane Rutherford to bat for Karachi. Interesting decision to go with Sherfane. Left-handedness combined with his big-hitting potential maybe
Sohail Tanvir to bowl Super Over
6.42 pm: The match is not yet over but it has twisted and turned its way to a Super Over. Karachi had the chase in control then they stumbled badly. Then Multan had it in their grasp but Imad Wasim has somehow pulled off a Super Over.
6 off 3. They can't afford a dot ball at all.
7 off 4. Imad needs to hit a boundary now. I don't think he can afford to take a single. Long-off is back. Fine leg is up.
Mohammad Amir c Khushdil Shah b Mohammad Ilyas 1 (4b 0x4 0x6) SR: 25.00
7 for the win. 6 for the Super Over. Amir to face
Karachi Kings did what had been on the cards for most of the game. But boy did they take the scenic route.