Istafa Ali
Islamabad United out of PSL being defeated by Peshawar Zalmi in the first Eliminator of the eighth Pakistan Super League (PSL) season.
In the first eliminator at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium, Zalmi set United 184 runs.
They will play Lahore Qalandars to reach the final. Tomorrow is the second Eliminator.
ZALMI FOR THE WIN 🙌#HBLPSL8 | #SabSitarayHumaray | #IUvPZ pic.twitter.com/vv3rOcDqPw
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 16, 2023
Zalmi’s run-chase began with Azmatullah Omarzai dismissing Rahmanullah Gurbaz after 10 runs.
Alex Hales and Sohaib Maqsood struck the adversary cleanly. The second-wicket partnership of 115 runs put their side ahead.
Aamer Jamal clean-bowled Sohaib Maqsood after the right-hander hit 60 runs in 48 balls, ending the century stand.
Zalmi grabbed control after Maqsood’s departure with smart bowling and consistent wickets.
Second appearance of the season and scores a fifty 💪
Man of the hour – @sohaibcricketer 😎#HBLPSL8 | #SabSitarayHumaray | #IUvPZ pic.twitter.com/Y6vGCa7mFF
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 16, 2023
Azam Khan (2) returned to the dugout without contributing. After being outpaced, Salman Irshad dismissed him.
Jamal’s yorker broke Hales’ stumps shortly after. Right-hander scored 57 runs in 37 balls with nine boundaries.
After slipping, Jamal ran out Faheem Ashraf.
Captain Shadab scored 26 unbroken runs in 12 balls, but his team lost.
Irshad was the Zalmi bowler with 2-18 in four overs.
After openers Babar Azam and Saim Ayub scored 60 runs in 4.4 overs, Zalmi were limited to 183-8 in 20 overs.
When Ayub, who scored 23 runs in 16 balls, miscued a pull shot and was caught at mid-on by Faheem Ashraf, pacer Mohammad Wasim Jr. gave United a much-needed breakthrough.
Babar’s 64 runs in 39 balls with 10 fours were impressive.
During his innings, the Zalmi skipper became the quickest T20 cricketer to achieve 9,000 runs. Before today’s match, the Zalmi captain needed 35 runs to reach the milestone, which he completed easily with some great strokes.
MVP of the innings – the Zalmi Kaptaan 👑 #HBLPSL8 | #SabSitarayHumaray | #IUvPZ @babarazam258 pic.twitter.com/4A5WhQKqu0
— PakistanSuperLeague (@thePSLt20) March 16, 2023
The middle overs were boosted by Mohammad Haris’ 34 in 17 balls. He hit three fours and two maximums.
Pakistani Family Broke a Guinness World Record
Following a great start, Zalmi was certain to score over 200. In the dying overs, United restricted Zalmi to 35 runs at the cost of four wickets.
The United skipper took two wickets, including Azam, but surrendered 40 runs in four overs.
