PSL 2022: We didn’t get the needed partnerships in middle overs – Babar Azam

Karachi Kings captain Babar Azam admitted that his team didn’t get the needed partnerships in middle overs against Lahore Qalandars in the sixth match of the ongoing Pakistan Super League 2022 which was played at the National Stadium, Karachi on Sunday.

Karachi Kings posted a competitive score of 170-7 on the board after they were put in to bat by Lahore Qalandars skipper Shaheen Shah Afridi. The Qalandars were able to chase down the total with four balls to spare and won by six wickets to register their maiden win of the season.

Karachi Kings got off to a fine start as Babar Azam and Sharjeel Khan added 84 runs for the opening alliance. Thus, it was expected that Karachi Kings could post an above par score of 190 runs but they could not get the partnerships going in the middle overs.

Joe Clarke and Mohammad Nabi got off to starts but could not convert them into substantial scores. Furthermore, the middle and lower order could not add the finishing touches.

Babar Azam said in the post-match presentation, “We had a good start with the bat, utilised the powerplay well but we didn’t get the needed partnerships after that. I thought it was still a good score. Fakhar played outstandingly for them, credit to him. There was some grip and hold for the spinners. The pacers weren’t able to execute their variations at the end. We need to field better, and take those half-chances which can help us win games”.

Karachi Kings have got off to a horrid start in the ongoing PSL 2022 as they have lost all of their opening three matches. The batting has let the team down in the first two matches and they could not defend despite putting 170 runs on the board in their third game.

Babar Azam holds the key for Karachi Kings and he will need to convert his starts into a big score. The KK captain scored 41 runs off 33 balls against the Qalandars but could not get a massive score.

Karachi Kings will look to win their maiden game of the season as they will face Peshawar Zalmi on Friday at the same venue of National Stadium, Karachi.