Iqbal, Clarke star in Karachi's win over Quetta

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Right-arm pacer Arshad Iqbal and wicketkeeper-batsman Joe Clarke helped Karachi Kings register a comprehensive seven-wicket victory over Quetta Gladiators in the opening match of the HBL PSL.

Chasing a target modest target of 122, Karachi were dealt an early blow as Sharjeel Khan was trapped leg before wicket (lbw) by Mohammad Hasnain for 4 in the first over

The import from Nottinghamshire, Joe Clarke, made his presence felt straight away as he dispatched Naseem for 2 fours and 1 six on consecutive deliveries. The English batsman was still in the T10 mode as he welcomed Afghanistan’s Qais Ahmed in the PSL by hitting the leg-spinner for 27 runs in his first over, which included 2 sixes and three fours.

Quetta needed someone to stop the flow of runs and Usman Shinwari responded by dismissing the dangerous Clarke for 46.

After Clarke’s departure, Babar took over the charge and started building a partnership with Colin Ingram. The game was slipping away from Quetta as Babar kept findings gap in the field. Hasnain gave Quetta a ray of hope by removing Babar, as he edged one behind to Sarfaraz, departing for 24.

In-form all-rounder Mohammad Nabi came in next, who played a blistering 30-run knock from 14 balls, to take Kings over the line with 37 balls to spare.

Earlier, Karachi Kings bowled out Quetta Gladiators for 121, after opting to field first.

In a surprising move, Gladiators captain Sarfaraz promoted himself to open the innings along with hard-hitter Tom Banton. However, it was Karachi Kings captain Imad Wasim who struck gold in his first over by removing Banton for 5.

Sarfaraz was looking positive as he deposited a wide delivery from Aamir Yamin to the boundary. But Yamin got his revenge in the same over as Sarfaraz was caught behind for 7.

With Quetta reeling at 17-2, Gayle decided to take control in his hand and took a particular liking to Yamin. The explosive batsman hit two sixes and a four in Yamin’s second over, taking Quetta to 49-2 at the end of the powerplay.

At the other end, Karachi kept putting pressure on rookie Saim Ayub with tight lines. The youngster eventually caved in and played a pull shot straight to the fielder at deep, departing for 8.

Imad then played a masterstroke by bringing all-rounder Daniel Christian into the attack, who deceived Gayle with a slower delivery and the aggressive batsman was caught by Mohammad Amir for 39.

Azam Khan made his intentions clear by hitting a boundary on his first ball. The Karachi-born batsman took on Imad in the next over and deposited him for a straight six.

The only emerging player to be retained this season, Arshad Iqbal, started from where he left off in PSL 5 final. The right-arm pacer wrecked Quetta’s batting further by dismissing Azam (17) and all-rounder Ben Cutting (11) in his second and third over.

Waqas Maqsood and Mohammad Amir then returned into the attack to dismiss Usman Shinwari and Qais Ahmed respectively. Arshad Iqbal was the pick of the bowlers for Karachi with three wickets, while conceding only 16 runs in his four overs.