By Shahid Hashmi
Islamabad United opened their title defence with a hard-fought seven wicket win over as Pakistan Super League kicked off with an impressive ceremony.
Set a revised target of 173 in 18 overs after rain intervened Islamabad were put on course by Dwayne Smith (55 off 49 balls with eight boundaries and a six) and Brad Haddin (39-ball 73 with eight fours and three sixes) before a packed Dubai stadium.
Islamabad, originally set 190, had looked to Sharjeel Khan to give them a robust start but the left-hander was trapped leg-before for just one to Hasan Ali in the second over of the innings.
Smith, uncharacteristically slow until Haddin was on charge, as the two added 104 at good pace to set the title-holders on course of a win. Even after Haddin was dismissed with 55 needed off 30 balls the win was never in doubt.
Shane Watson, who made xx-ball xxx, hit two sixes and a boundary to bring the target to seven in the final over. Sam Billings smashed a boundary off the fourth ball to seal victory.
Earlier, Kamran Akmal smashed six sixes and as many fours in his 48-ball 88, once again reminding of his credentials.
Kamran lifted the innings after opener Mohammad Hafeez fell to the first delivery of the innings, caught in the slip off lanky Mohammad Imran.
Together with Dawid Malan (43 off 30 balls with 4×4 and 3×6), Kamran not only brought stability but hit some excellent shots, smashing three sixes off Saeed Ajmal. He brought up his fifty off just 23 balls with three sixes and four boundaries.
That innings came on the back of a prolific domestic season during which he scored 1035 runs in Quaid Trophy and 361 in departmental one-day Cup.
But Peshawar Zalmi erred in sending fit-again but lacking in match practice Haris Sohail — on a comeback trail after a 17-month lay-off due to knee operation. His 14-ball 12 broke Zalmi’s tempo as they managed 51 in the overs 11-16 including the dismissal of Kamran in the 16th over.
Shane Watson finished with 4-46 in his four overs while Mohammad Sami finished with an economical 2-16 in his four.
Lahore Qalandars face Quetta Gladiators in the first of a double header on Friday Karachi Kings will meet Zalmi.