SHARJAH:Karachi Kings defeated Lahore Qalandars by 27 runs in the 12th match of the inaugural Pakistan Super League (PSL) at Sharjah.
Karachi set a target of 178 runs for Lahore in 20 overs thanks to a spectacular performance by Ravi Bopara, who scored 71 runs from 43 deliveries.
Zohaib Khan and Zafar Gohar got two wickets a piece for Lahore, whereas Cooper claimed one wicket.
In return, Lahore Qalandars only managed a score of 151 runs for the loss of eight wickets. Even though openers Gayle and Delport were able to put up a good score initially, Bopara claimed six wickets later on in the match, leading Karachi to victory. Ravi Bopara smashed an unbeaten half-century and returned figures of 4-0-16-6 to help Karachi Kings beat Lahore Qalandars by 27 runs at the Sharjah Cricket Stadium on Friday.
In reply to the 178-5 posted by Kings, the Qalandars were restricted to 151-8 in 20 overs.
Qalandars opening batsmen Chris Gayle (37) and Cameron Delport (55) provided a solid 98-run stand for the first wicket, but were not backed by the batsmen coming down the order.
Delport’s departure saw a procession of wickets as Bopara took the steam out of the Lahore chase.Bopara, smashed an unbeaten 71 off 43 balls with three fours and four sixes to continue his fine run of form, and returned to dismiss Gayle, Umar Akmal (19), Dwayne Bravo (zero), Mohammad Rizwan (12), Hammad Azam (zero) and Naved Yasin (zero).
Usama Mir and Sohail Khan also claimed one wicket each.
Earlier, Kings’ opener Nauman Anwar finally came good as he scored 35 off 25 with two fours and three sixes to give his side a solid start.Anwar was gifted several chances by the Qalandars side who were being led by Bravo.
Left-arm spinners Zohaib Khan and Zafar Gohar were the pick of the bowlers for Qalandars picking up two wickets each in the run-fest, whereas Kevon Cooper took one.
