Kamran Akmal smashes first century of PSL 2020

KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi opening batsman Kamran Akmal smashed the first century of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2020 to as Peshawar Zalmi defeated Quetta Gladiators by six wickets in their match of the tournament.  

Akmal, arguably Zalmi's most dangerous batsman, smashed his third century of the PSL and the first of the fifth edition of the league from just 54 balls. 

Akmal returned to pavilion soon after completing his century as he was caught by Jason Roy at deep mid-wicket as he tried to play a sweep shot off Fawad Ahmed’s delivery.

Twitterati were ecstatic at Akmal's third PSL century and took to the social media website to lavish praise on his innings. 

Kamran throws weight behind his brother

Kamran on Saturday voiced support for his troubled brother Umar Akmal, saying that the suspended Quetta Gladiators batsman was innocent.

The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) had suspended Umar on Thursday, with unconfirmed reports suggesting that he was punished for being in touch with a bookie.

The older Akmal, however, was confident that his younger sibling will get his name cleared.

"The investigation against Umar Akmal is underway. You can say whatever you want to after it concludes. He is my brother and I am sure that he hasn't done anything as such," Kamran said during a post-match press conference.

"Umar has cooperated with Pakistan Cricket Board's anti-corruption wing like no one else has," he said, adding that "I have no doubt on my brother's honesty."

Kamran then moved on to the match's happenings, praising his team's bowlers for "putting on a good bowling show, which restricted Quetta Gladiators from posting a big total."

Expressing his thoughts about not getting appointed in the national squad he said: "I have no complaints against the previous selection committee."

Kamran urged fans to judge a player's caliber not on the basis of their T20 performances but their four-day format's output.

He also heaped praise on franchise captain Darren Sammy, who is to be given honorary citizenship of Pakistan, saying that the West Indies star "came to play PSL when no one else was ready to".