Kusal Mendis once again rose to the occasion for Peshawar Zalmi against Karachi Kings, ensuring the 2017 champions remained unbeaten in the ongoing Pakistan Super League at the Gaddafi Stadium, Lahore, on Wednesday.
Karachi Kings, after electing to bat first, posted 182 for nine in their allotted 20 overs. Jason Roy led the innings with a commanding 85 off 51 balls, striking 11 fours and two sixes. Azam Khan added a brisk 35, while Khushdil Shah contributed 12 from seven deliveries.
Ali Raza proved the pick of the bowlers for Zalmi, claiming four wickets for 41 runs, while Mohammad Basit, Iftikhar Ahmed, Sufiyan Muqeem and Aaron Hardie each took one wicket.
In reply, Peshawar Zalmi chased down the target with ease, reaching 186 for three in 18.5 overs. Kusal Mendis remained unbeaten on 80 off 43 balls, anchoring the innings with authority. Farhan Yousaf supported him with an unbeaten 58.
Babar Azam scored 25, while James Vince made 16. Zalmi lost three early wickets but recovered through an unbroken fourth-wicket partnership between Mendis and Farhan.
Hasan Ali, Abbas Afridi and Khushdil Shah claimed one wicket apiece for Karachi Kings, but their efforts were not sufficient to halt Zalmi’s progress.
Kusal Mendis was named player of the match for his decisive innings.
