West Indies international Darren Sammy delivered a calculated final over as Peshawar Zalmi survived a whirlwind Ravi Bopara knock to beat Karachi Kings by three runs in a thrilling Pakistan Super League match in Sharjah Thursday. After 39 overs of a contest that swung one way and then another, the equation was that Karachi needed 13 runs off six balls; Peshawar needed three wickets to secure the win and go top of the table. Sammy bowled full and wide first ball, and Ravi Bopara, who had almost single-handedly brought Karachi back into the game, whacked a six over the cover-point boundary. Bopara then helped himself to a two next ball. Five needed off four balls, with Karachi holding the edge. Bopara could have sealed a famous win off the next ball, but sent Sammy's full toss straight down the throat of long on. Peshawar was lifted, and Usama Mir could only manage a single off the fourth delivery. Karachi knew it had to run for anything, and its sneaky attempt at stealing a bye off the fifth ball was unsuccessful, as Mir was run out. That left Mohammad Amir, the new man in, with the unenviable task of hitting four off the last ball. After a long discussion between Sammy and his captain Shahid Afridi, Sammy ran in to bowl the final ball from around the wicket. His wide yorker was not accurate, but Amir failed to get any bat on it, and the Peshawar players broke into wild celebrations. A close finish was the last thing on everyone's mind, especially Peshawar's, when it reduced Karachi to 48 for 5 in a tough chase of 183. However, Bopara inspired a turnaround, blasting five fours and four sixes during a 33-ball 67 which threatened to take the game away from Peshawar. Earlier, Mohammad Hafeez blasted his first fifty of the season to power Peshawar to 182 for 4. United down Qalandars Openers Sharjeel Khan and Shane Watson scored impressive half-centuries as Islamabad United downed Lahore Qalandars by eight wickets in Sharjah Cricket Wednesday. In pursuit of Qalandars' 166-6, United made 169 for the loss of two wickets courtesy a quick-fire and unbeaten 43-ball 79 by Sharjeel. The hard-hitting Pakistan national was accompanied by Watson, who scored 79 off 47 balls. Watson's innings included four 4s and seven 6s.
