PSL 2023: We could have won the game had Shoaib stayed till the end – Imad Wasim

Karachi Kings captain Imad Wasim reckons they could have won the game against Peshawar Zalmi at the National Stadium, Karachi on Tuesday had Shoaib Malik stayed till the end after they suffered a narrow loss of two runs.

PSZ posted a par score of 199 runs on the board after Wasim won the toss and decided to bowl first. Babar Azam led from the front in the opening game as he scored 68 runs from 46 balls whereas Tom Kohler-Cadmore smashed a blistering knock of 92 runs from only 50 balls. The pair added 141 runs for the third wicket to help their team post a total close to the 200-run mark.

On the other hand, Karachi Kings didn’t get off to an ideal start in the run-chase as they were in a spot of bother at 46-4 after 6.1 overs. However, Imad Wasim and Shoaib Malik, who was playing his 500th T20 match, were able to keep their team in the contest.

Wasim scored an unbeaten knock of 80 runs whereas Malik scored 52 runs as the duo added 131 runs for the fifth wicket. However, Malik was dismissed by Wahab Riaz and Wasim feels it was the turning point of the game.

Imad Wasim said in the post-match presentation, “We bowled really well. Tom and Babar did really well. 200 was chaseable, but we didn’t start well. Credit to the groundsman, it was a great wicket. The wicket was good, we tried to play cricketing shots. We could have won the game had Shoaib stayed till the end. First game of the tournament and there were a lot of positives. I am happy with the bowling, gotta be a bit clever. The batters have to back themselves to play the big shots.”

Meanwhile, Babar Azam feels they need to improve their fielding and catching in the upcoming matches as they dropped three catches.

He said after the game, “It was our first match and it was important to start on a good note for your new franchise. The partnership between Imad and Shoaib was really good and because of the dew, the ball was coming on nicely onto the bat. We stuck to our plans, Khurram bowled very well, and he bowled a crucial final over too. I and Tom played well, I tried to give more strike to Tom as he was hitting very well. We could have scored 10 more runs. We need to improve our fielding and catching as well.”

Tom Kohler-Cadmore was awarded the Player of the Match for his whirlwind knock of 92 runs. He admitted that it was a perfect pitch for T20 cricket.

He said, “It’s a very nice pitch to have, almost 400 runs were scored on this wicket tonight. It’s a great wicket here, so can’t take too many balls to settle in on here and need to try and put up a big score on the board. (On his stand with Babar) We had some pre-game plans, it was just about following those, building a partnership, and kind of making match-winning contributions. It was great to bat out there with Babar tonight.”