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Muhammad Akhlaq Archives - ASports.tv

Kings’ Akhlaq aims to capitalize on Qalandars’ struggling bowling attack

LAHORE: Wicketkeeper batter Muhammad Akhlaq expressed his hope to give his best in the biggest rivalry of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) between two former champions Karachi Kings and Lahore Qalandars.

Akhlaq, while talking to the media at the LCCA Ground here on Friday, commented on the ongoing rough patch of the defending champions’ star-studded bowling attack and revealed his plans to benefit the Kings.

“When bowlers are bowling well, they pose a different pressure. If they are not able to bowl well then we will definitely take advantage of that and will turn Lahore Qalandars’ week points into our plus points,” Akhlaq stated.

The wicketkeeper batter, however, was unfazed by the hype of the biggest rivalry of the HBL PSL and asserted that he would stick to his basics.

“I would go with the same plan, the way I played against Lahore last year. So, I would go with a positive mindset this year too and will do what’s best for the team,” he said.

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Muhammad Akhlaq also opened up on his aggressive approach, the glimpses of which were seen in his blistering 24-run knock against Peshawar Zalmi which featured three boundaries and two sixes.

“An opener should bat with an aggressive approach in the first six overs. And our team’s plan is that the top order should focus on their natural game. I did the same and received a good response,” said Akhlaq.

It is pertinent to mention that the highly-anticipated clash of the PSL 9 takes place on Saturday when Karachi Kings take on arch-rivals Lahore Qalandars at their fort.

Karachi Kings boast a superior head-to-head record against the Qalandars, having won 11 out of 17 matches.

READ: Zalmi end Sultans’ winning streak with first triumph in PSL 9

Kings’ Akhlaq ‘pleased’ with his match-winning knock against Qalandars

LAHORE: Karachi Kings’ debutant right-handed opener Muhammad Akhlaq was pleased with his match-winning half-century knock against Lahore Qalandars in the last group fixture of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight.

Akhlaq, who was adjudged the player of the match for his magnificent 51 which powered the Kings to a competitive total, interacted with the media and expressed his satisfaction with his brilliant performance.

“I’m thankful to Almighty Allah for granting me respect in my debut match. I felt really good to play for Karachi Kings,” said Akhlaq.

“I’ve played for Islamabad [United] and Karachi [Kings] and enjoyed my time being in both sides and also learn a lot. But in Karachi [Kings], the Almighty Allah granted with respect,” he maintained.

The right-handed batter then commented on the Kings’ campaign in the PSL 8 and asserted that few close losses and below-par death bowling dented their march to the playoffs.

“Our team was outstanding but we’ve been unlucky in this tournament as we lost most of the matches by close margins. So, I think it was just bad luck. Things were going well but we couldn’t get satisfactory results in the end,” Akhlaq said.

“The prime reason behind our defeats was that we were struggling in the death bowling, we couldn’t bowl well in the last five overs of the innings,” he added.

It is worth mentioning that after Akhlaq propelled the Kings to 196/7 the Kings’ bowlers crushed the Qalandars’ batting unit to script a resounding 86-run victory.

The dominating victory over Qalandars in their final PSL 8 fixture lifted the Kings to finish in fifth spot as they finished with six points in 10 matches.

READ: Akhlaq, bowlers power Karachi Kings to thrash Lahore Qalandars