Denly hits third 50 as Kings exit PSL
Wednesday 21st March 2018
Kent batsman Joe Denly hit his third half-century in the Pakistan Super League as Karachi Kings lost to Peshawar Zalmi in the final eliminator in Lahore.
The 32-year-old Kent Cricket Academy graduate smashed 79* off 46 balls including nine fours and four sixes as he shared a century stand with Babar Azam.
His 27th T20 50 came off 34 balls with a towering straight six off the bowling of Umaid Asif.
The Kings batted well but were unable to match the earlier heroics of Peshawar opener Kamran Akmal who struck a 17-ball half-century to inspire Peshawar to 120-2 off 10 overs.
Kings fought back with wickets from Ravi Bopara (3/35) and Tymal Mills (2/23) to restrict Zalmi to 50-5 in the final six overs of a rain-reduced 16-over innings.
In reply, Denly and Babar recovered from the early loss of Mukhtar Ahmed to add 117 off 79 balls.
Babar Azam (63) eventually holed out to Liam Dawson midway through the 15th over leaving Denly and Colin Ingram a virtually impossible task.
Peshawar now face group leaders Islamabad United in the final in Karachi on Sunday.