LAHORE: Peshawar Zalmi set Islamabad United a target of 184 runs after being invited to bat first at the Gaddafi Stadium in Lahore on Thursday in the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL), 2023 Eliminator.
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
