LAHORE: Karachi Kings coach Mickey Arthur believed his team had conceded 20 runs too many to Peshawar Zalmi in the second eliminator which they lost by 13 runs in Lahore on Wednesday.
Zalmi notched up a solid 170-7 in the match which was reduced to 16-over-a-side with Pakistan discard Kamran Akmal smashing a belligerent 27-ball 77 studded with eight sixes and five boundaries.
Karachi Kings were behind the eight ball and despite half centuries from Joe Denly and Babar Azam managed 157-2 in their quota of overs.
Mickey Arthur disagreed Denly and Babar did not show desperation to reach the target.
“I think that’s unfair to say,” said Arthur. “They tried their hardest and they both scored at far quicker 130 strike rate but we went 20 runs too many. We got good batting depth I don’t think we can blame them but we were chasing 20 too many.”
Arthur believed the one over Usman Shinwari which cost 25 changed the tempo.
“We bowled very well for the first four overs. It was that Shinwari over where they got the momentum. Amir went for 16 in his four but that 25 run over gave them kick start their momentum,” said Arthur of the over in which Kamran smashed three boundaries and two sixes.
“We needed to get eight overs from two spinners and Ravi (Bopara). We clearly missed Shahid Afridi and Imad Wasim and if you put the two in the side and we have a very useful bowling unit,” said Arthur of the two who missed the game through injuries.
That forced the Karachi Kings to give captaincy to Mohammad Amir, a choice Arthur backed.
Mickey Arthur says, “We could have done differently but part of the PSL is producing Pakistan cricketers and leaders and I felt that by giving Amir an opportunity we gave another player to lead and perhaps we find something in his character that we can take forward,” siad Arthur.
Arthur singled out Hussain Talat, Asif Ali, Salman Agha and Shaheen Shah Afridi as the talent for future.
“I think Talat, Asif and Salman are good for future. Why I chose to coach in the PSL is to see these youngsters from a close quarter. I think Hussain played very well and Asif is an explosive hitter and we need to have a closer look at him.
“Then we had Salman Agha so they are the three. Then Shaheen is a massive talent and he is the guy who we want to have him in our emerging system so that we can work hard on him for a couple of years.”
Arthur believed Shaheen resembled with Australian spearhead Mitchel Starc.
“I had the privilege of seeing Starc when he was very young and there is very very close resemblance between the two and he just needs to get the right kind of guidance, training and coaching then he can be a good star.”
