Sharjah: The joys of success from two openers on Thursday were a treat to watch. South Africa’s JP Duminy, who won the man of the match in Islamabad United’s six-wicket win over Quetta Gladiators through his knock of 54, and Peshawar Zalmi’s opener Kamran Akmal, who too emerged as match winner against Karachi Kings through his quick 75 runs, are delighted with their success.

Duminy has been consistent in this edition of the PSL in the role of the opener, which is new to him. “Opening the batting is new to me, it’s something I’ve thoroughly enjoyed, and hopefully something I can take forward.”

Though Duminy is an experienced cricketers having played 46 Test matches, 184 One Day Internationals and 76 T20 International matches, he said he has learnt a lot from opening the innings here. “The key was to hold your shape when you play your shots, especially on these low and skiddy wickets. It’s just about identifying certain bowlers at certain stages of the game,” he said.

For Akmal, it was an innings to prove that he is still good to open the innings for Pakistan again. Akmal has not been included in the Pakistan team since April 2017 and he said: “Every player plays and targets for a place in the Pakistan team so I am doing my best and the rest is with the selectors and coaches,”

Thirty-six-year-old Akmal has always been a fighter and recently he smashed a Pakistan record of 150 in the National Twenty20 and 200 in departmental one-day matches. “I do my best for the team and not every day is the same but I try my best and I am happy when I contribute to team’s win.”

Narine reported for illegal bowling action

Meanwhile, Lahore Qalandars, off spinner Sunil Narine has been reported for a suspected illegal bowling action during the match against Quetta Gladiators. A Pakistan Cricket Board official said: “Narine has now been placed on the warning list and may continue to be selected to play and bowl for his team in the PSL. As the PSL follows the ICC Regulations on Illegal bowling actions if a player is reported while on the warning list, the player shall be suspended from bowling for the remainder of the PSL tournament.”

Younis Khan become father again

Former Pakistan captain Younis Khan, who is the mentor of the Peshawar team, became a father again. Peshawar captain Darren Sammy dedicated their team’s win over Karachi Kings on Thursday to Khan who is away from the team owing to the birth of a baby boy at home. This is Khan’s third child after eldest son Owais and daughter Ammara. Sammy said through a video message: “Today’s victory was for our legend Younis Khan, who just had a baby yesterday.”