Livingstone, Azam, Amir star for Karachi
dubai — It took a record partnership up top and an incredible spell of quick bowling for the Karachi Kings to pull off a dramatic sevenrun win in their opening fixture of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) at the Dubai International Cricket Stadium on Friday night.
England’s exciting young prospect Liam Livingstone scored his fourth half-century in the format and Azam, his 24th and the pair featured in a record opening partnership in PSL history.
Then, left-arm quick Mohammad Amir snaffled four for 25 to snuff out Multan Sultans’ challenge. Earlier, the Karachi Kings were well served by Livingstone and Azam, who etched a new record at the top.
The pair conjured 157 for the opening wicket to eclipse the previous mark of 153 set by Islamabad United’s Shane Watson and Sharjeel Khan against the Lahore Qalandars in the inaugural edition in Sharjah in 2016.
Their record partnership saw the Kings rack up 183 for six and although 200 was a possibility, Chris Green’s three wickets kept them down to that total. The Australian off-spinner, fresh off the Big Bash with Sydney Thunder, made the inroads with three for 32.
Much before though, Livingstone and Azam stepped on it and looked impregnable against the Sultans attack.
Livingstone, who clubbed a 49ball century for Lancashire against Derbyshire, last season, was in his elements as he waltzed to 82 from 43 deliveries with six sixes and an equal number of boundaries.
So too was Azam, the No.1 batsman in the format, who made 77 from 59 balls with six fours and a six. The Sultans were cautious in their start and were behind the eight-ball after being two down for 52 despite a 47-run stand between left-handed opener Shan Masood and Laurie Evans.
But captain Shoaib Malik and the Englishman Evans breathed life into the chase with a 77-run alliance. But Malik’s 28-ball 52 with five boundaries and two sixes and Evans’ 49 from 39 balls with seven deliveries went in vain as Amir had the last laugh.
4/25 Bowling figures of Karachi fast bowler Mohammad Amir against Multan