LAHORE: Peshawar Zalmi defeated Islamabad United by 12 runs at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Thursday in the first Eliminator of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2023.
Chasing a target of 184 runs, Islamabad United were restricted to 171-6 in 20 overs.
Babar Azam-led unit will face Lahore Qalandars in Eliminator 2 at the same venue on Friday.
During the run-chase, Azmatullah Omarzai provided an early wicket to Peshawar as Rahmanullah Gurbaz was sent packing after scoring 10 runs.
However, Alex Hales and Sohaib Maqsood took the attack to the opposition with some clean hitting. The two added 115 runs for the second wicket partnership and put their team in the driving seat.
The century stand was finally broken by Aamer Jamal, who clean bowled Sohaib Maqsood but not before the right-hander had smashed 60 runs in 48 balls.
Azam Khan on 2 also went back to hut, without a significant contribution, as he was sent packing by Salman Irshad after being beaten for pace.
Hales also followed soon after as Jamal nailed a yorker to shatter the English batter’s stumps. The right-hander smashed 57 runs in 37 balls with the help of nine boundaries.
Faheem Ashraf, who slipped while trying to return to the crease, was run out after a direct hit from Jamal.
Captain Shadab scored unbeaten 26 runs in 12 balls but that was not enough to get his side over the line.
Irshad was the pick of the Peshawar bowlers with figures of 2-18 in four overs.
PSL 8: Peshawar Zalmi invited to bat first
Earlier Peshawar Zalmi set Islamabad United a target of 184 runs after being invite to bat first.
Peshawar made an explosive start as the opener pairs Babar Azam and Saim Ayub stitched 60 runs in only 4.4 overs.
However, Pacer Mohammad Wasim Jr provided a much-needed breakthrough to Islamabad United after Ayub, who scored 23 runs in 16 balls, miscued a pull shot and was caught at mid-on by Faheem Ashraf.
Babar Azam looked in great touch and scored 64 runs in 39 balls with the help of 10 fours.
The Peshawar Zalmi captain also became the fastest player to score 9,000 runs in T20 cricket during his impressive innings. Before today’s match, Azam needed 35 runs to achieve the milestone which he did with ease thanks to some splendid shots.
Mohammad Haris also provided impetus to the innings in the middle overs with a brisk cameo of 34 in 17 balls. He smacked three boundaries and two maximums.
Shadab Khan claimed two wickets, including the prized scalp of Azam, but conceded 40 runs in his four overs.
The winner of today’s match will qualify for the second Eliminator, which is set to take place tomorrow at the same venue.
Peshawar Zalmi
Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris, Haseebullah Khan (wk), Tom Kohler-Cadmore, James Neesham, Aamer Jamal, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Wahab Riaz, Salman Irshad
Islamabad United
Alex Hales, Rahmanullah Gurbaz (wk), Sohaib Maqsood, Colin Munro, Shadab Khan (c), Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Mubasir Khan, Hasan Ali, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Fazalhaq Farooqi
