Joe Clarke cricket: Karachi Kings keeper-batsman smashes maiden PSL half-century vs Multan Sultans

Joe Clarke: The wicket-keeper batsman from Karachi Kings is making the most of his debut Pakistan Super League season.

During the ninth match of the ongoing sixth season of the Pakistan Super League between Karachi Kings and Multan Sultans in Karachi, Karachi Kings batsman Babar Azam scored his 48th T20 half-century to seal a formidable 196-run chase at the National Stadium.

Opening the batting with Sharjeel Khan (27), Azam played through the innings to hit the winning runs off Sohail Khan in the penultimate over.

While a 56-run opening stand laid the platform for the defending champions, Azam followed it with a 97-run partnership for the second wicket alongside wicket-keeper batsman Joe Clarke.

Azam, who plays these anchor roles to perfection on most occasions, did change gears when the situation required him to do so. As a result, the right-hand batsman ended up scoring a PSL career-best 90* (60) with the help of 13 fours and a six.

After Karachi captain Imad Wasim won the toss and invited Sultans in to bat, the visitors posted 195/6 in 20 overs on the back of solid contributions from their top four.

Joe Clarke smashes maiden PSL half-century

Playing only his third PSL match, Kings wicket-keeper batsman Joe Clarke registered his maiden half-century in the tournament to not let the runs to dry up post Sharjeel’s dismissal.

Coming in to bat at No. 3 in the fifth over, Clarke hit his first ball for a boundary off Shahnawaz Dhani to express his intentions. Clarke, who got his eyes in while running singles and doubles without much discomfort, targeted veteran Sultans all-rounder Shahid Afridi to hit him for a four and a couple of sixes.

With his second six off Afridi came on the 12th over, he followed it with two more breathtaking hits off Khushil Shah in the next over. It was on the penultimate delivery of the 14th over that Clarke ran a single off Multan all-rounder Carlos Brathwaite to complete a 24-ball half-century.

While Clarke got out to Dhani in the 15th over, it was only after he scored a spectacular 54 (26) comprising of three fours and four sixes.

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