LAHORE: Peshawar Zalmi captain Darren Sammy won the Man of the Match award for the Pakistan Super League final on Sunday, but the real winner was former Pakistan batsman Kamran Akmal, who received three top awards at the awards ceremony.
Akmal has been out of the national cricket team for years now, but his recent star performance has built a strong chase for selectors to bring him back to the national side.
On Sunday night, Akmal received the coveted Man of the Tournament award, as well as the awards for best wicketkeeper and best batsman of the tournament.
Akmal scored a total of 353 run in a total of 11 innings, with a top score of 104, also the highest in the tournament. Akmal was the wicketkeeper with 12 dismissals, the highest in PSL 2017.
“Credit to team management and players. Definitely, I am knocking on the doors of selection. I carried a lot of confidence from domestic cricket. I did not perform well in the initial matches, but the management kept their faith in me,” said an overjoyed Akmal.
Karachi Kings pacer Sohail Khan received the award for the best bowler of the tournament. Hasan Ali collected the trophy on behalf of Sohail Khan.
Sarfraz Ahmed, captain of the Quetta Gladiators who were runners-up in the final of last year’s tournament as well, also congratulated Zalmi for their outstanding performance.
“It was a chase-able score. We’ve chased 200, and we’ve also defended 200. The turning point was our fall of five early wickets. I think Peshawar Zalmi are worthy of being congratulated for their outstanding performance,” said Ahmed.
“I specially congratulate the crowd for their support,” he said.
But the spotlight was on West Indian batsman Darren Sammy, who received the Man of the Match award for being an outstanding leader and his crucial innings late in the order that helped Zalmi lift the trophy.
“To me it’s just more than a game,” said Sammy speaking about the PSL final.
“It first started in the draft. Lala [Afridi] made the big announcement that I would be the captain. This trophy means a lot. Lala influenced my decision to come here.
Sammy was also given a traditional ‘pagri’ by his Peshawar Zalmi side, which he donned as he walked up to receive the awards.
“I felt tonight I brought a lot of smiles in Lahore and Peshawar. It is an amazing day. We thought with the new ball we did well. If we get 150-160 it would be a good total. We did get to 148 and our bowlers have been doing well this tournament. Peshawar is not just a cricket team, we do a lot for the fans, the foundation,” said Sammy.
But even the visiting West Indian was aware that the electrifying atmosphere in Lahore meant the final was more than just any other game for Pakistanis.
“Thanks to the PCB, and the PSL. I am glad I came to experience the atmosphere here. Even though Peshawar came out on top, cricket was the real winner in Lahore,” said Sammy, taking a selfie with Ramiz Raja in his signature style before walking off to receive the PSL 2017 trophy.
He was soon joined by his team members in a moment of jubilation and celebration.
