KP fires sensational 88* as Quetta edge Lahore in thriller

Barnaby Read 20:30 18/02/2017
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  • Pietersen and Sarfraz stole the show.

    Kevin Pietersen magnificently put his poor start to the Pakistan Super League behind him in Sharjah on Saturday, blasting an unbeaten 88 from just 42 balls as Quetta Gladiators romped past Lahore Qalandars.

    In a near replica of last year’s highest scoring match of the tournament between the two sides, Lahore once again failed to defend a score of 200 and above as Pietersen found his best form.

    In pursuit of 201 for victory, Quetta were behind the running when Pietersen was joined by captain Sarfraz Ahmed at the crease with the Gladiators requiring 112 off the remaining 55 balls.

    But a partnership of 101 for the fifth wicket saw the pair bludgeon their side within touching distance.

    Quetta fired 77 off 23 balls to secure victory with seven balls remaining and, after two successive golden ducks followed just three in his first match, seeing Pietersen at his enthralling best delighted both his team and the fans in the stadium.

    The man himself, however, was unconcerned about his early series struggles.

    “First ball anyone can get out actually, I don’t care first ball because you’re in there and it can happen so quick,” dismissed Pietersen. “I get cross with myself if I get myself in and then I get out because then I don’t think I should get out. If I get myself out it really p***** me off but if I get a first baller then no.

    “I’ve come off a Big Bash where I’ve top scored in the Big Bash so a couple of low scores doesn’t bother me. It bothers a lot of other people talking about the game but it doesn’t bother me. Runs doesn’t bother me either, I do the processes the way that I’ve always done my processes and I think about the game the way I’ve always done it and if I’m successful, I’m successful.

    Lahore Qalandars vs Quetta Gladiators

    • Lahore Qalandars 200-3
    • Jason Roy (51); Hasan (2-28)
    • Quetta Gladiators 202-5
    • Pietersen (88*); Tanvir (2-47)

    “No-one deserves success in life, you’ve got to work for it, you’ve got to enjoy it and in life and in sport you have more bad days than you have good days and I’ve just proved that. It doesn’t mean I’m going to get runs for the rest of the tournament but it’s nice that we’ve got a victory.”

    A fresh wicket in Sharjah produced the best batting surface of the tournament so far and despite looking to be behind the eight ball during their chase, Pietersen explained that he and Sarfraz were calm in their pursuit.

    “Because the wicket was so good, Sarfraz and I said to each other that we just need two good overs to get it to almost a run a ball. I thought that he played Tanvir magnificently too,” added the former England international.

    “When you’re chasing 200, it’s a lot easier that 120 because you can set targets. When you’re chasing 200 you’ve just keep going and going and going. I think understanding the game in terms of making sure you still get yourself in and that gives you a chance to go on.

    Pietersen, now a freelance Twenty20 cricketer, reiterated that this innings and any future success in this year’s PSL will not see him play in the IPL.

    The 36-year-old announced at the start of this month that he will take a break after the PSL and confirmed once again in Sharjah that he will spend time with his family after the conclusion of the tournament before making a decision on his long-term future in the summer.

    “No mate, I’m done,” said Pietersen when asked if he would still miss the IPL. “I’m going to play the next week or so and then I’m done.

    “No, I’ll think about what I’ll do in the summer but at the moment I need to spend time with my family and kids. Cricket is not everything to me. I’ve got a young family and your family only grows up one. If I’m going to spend two months away from my daughter who’s one years of age, no, not interested.”

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