A T20 specialist plying his trade in leagues around the world, Hodge stamped his authority in the PSL Wednesday with a stupendous 85 not out off 45 balls to turn the tables on Karachi Kings.
Chasing a tricky target of 153, his team Peshawar Zalmi were down for the count on a sluggish pitch at
69-5 in the 12th over but Hodge, who also featured in the Masters Cricket League playing for eventual champions Gemini Arabians, smashed six sixes and and as many fours to condemn Karachi to a fivewicket defeat.
Having already qualified for the playoffs, Peshwar rested regulars fast bowlers Shaun Tait and Wahab Riaz along with opener Tamim Iqbal, yet they did well to restrict Karachi to 152-7. Opener Lend Simmons, who hit six fours and two sixes in his 37-ball 49, was the top scorer for Karachi while Ravi Bopara hit 23 off 22 balls.
In reply, Peshawar were in deep trouble as they kept losing wickets in the first 10 overs. With streaks of lightning flashing and dark clouds hovering around the Dubai International Stadium, they were also behind the Duckworth-Lewis par score at the end of 11 overs.
However, that was the same time Hodge was settling in and he upped the ante in the 16th over bowled by Usama Mir, clobbering the 20-yearold leg spinner for three sixes and a four collecting 23 runs. The asking rate was down to an achievable 32 off 24 balls from a steep 55 off 30.
Hodge tightened the noose with Darren Sammy providing the finishing touches in the 19th over by smashing Sohail Khan for a massive six.
