DUBAI: Karachi Kings’s opener Joe denly on Saturday showered praise on popular all-rounder Shahid Afridi after he played a key role in his team’s 63-run win over Multan Sultans in Dubai.
Denly himself anchored the Karachi innings of 188-3 — the highest in this year’s league — with a brilliant 55-ball 78 spiced with ten fours and two sixes.
SIX! 8.5 Junaid Khan to Joe Denly
Watch ball by ball highlights at https://t.co/0U1go038Vz#MSvKK #HBLPSL #PSL2018 @_cricingif pic.twitter.com/x1yh3Dg5KS— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 10, 2018
Afridi then wrecked Multan’s top order with 3-18 in his four overs.
The win gives Karachi Kings nine points from seven games, with Islamabad United top on the table with ten points.
“He is brilliant, he is a super star all around the world. The way he deals with pressure is fantastic, he is a match winner. Any team he plays for has a chance to do well,” said Denly when asked about Afridi’s contribution to the team.
OUT! 7.2 Shahid Afridi to Kieron Pollard
Watch ball by ball highlights at https://t.co/0U1go038Vz#MSvKK #HBLPSL #PSL2018 @_cricingif pic.twitter.com/lypZKcCsOJ— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 10, 2018
Denly said his team’s game plan against Multan Sultans was to return to winning ways.
“Last couple of games were disappointing, so we had spoken a lot about the need to go back and do what we really do well, “said Denly.
“We tried to build a partnership and luckily me and Babar were able to do that,” said Denly who added 118 for the second wicket with Babar Zaman who made 39-ball 58.
Denly said he was a bit surprised when Multan put Karachi into bat on a flat wicket.
“Yeah, I was a little bit. As a batter I always say that if its a good wicket then bat first, put some runs on the board and put the opponents under pressure. That is why I always encourage my captain to bat first, unless it looks like a real turner or has grass, so I was a little bit surprised.”
About his batting, Denly said: “Today I tried to give myself some time especially in the first six overs, tried to play some proper shot and build a partnership we knew thatw e have a lot of power in our batting. It would have been nice to get a few more buit Ingram batted well.
“On the back of two disappointing losses with Afridi in your side and then Imad Wasim, you can defend any total. They bowl eight overs of quality,” concluded Denly.
