Peshawar Zalmi Falls Short against Islamabad United

In a thrilling match at the Cricket Stadium, Islamabad United emerged victorious against Peshawar Zalmi in the HBL Pakistan Super League encounter. Led by their captain, Shadab Khan, Islamabad United showcased a dominant performance both with the bat and the ball. Shadab Khan’s exceptional innings of 80 runs off 51 balls set the tone for United, supported by notable contributions from other players. Despite a valiant effort from Peshawar Zalmi’s Aamer Jamal, Islamabad United’s bowling attack, led by Shadab Khan himself, proved too strong. This victory reignites Islamabad United’s hopes for the playoffs, positioning them favorably in the standings of the HBL PSL.

Peshawar Zalmi’s Struggle

Peshawar Zalmi faced early setbacks, losing key players like Babar Azam and Saim Ayub in the first over. The scoreboard reflected their troubles as they found themselves at 18-5 by the end of the powerplay. Aamer Jamal’s resilient half-century offered some resistance, but it wasn’t enough to counter Shadab Khan’s brilliance.

In Rawalpindi, the Pindi Cricket Stadium was enveloped in freezing cold on Monday night. Despite the dense crowd providing much-needed warmth, it was Islamabad United, donning their bright red home colors, who ignited the heat during their homecoming.

Captain Shadab Khan was the catalyst, shining both with the bat and the ball. United secured a 29-run victory over Peshawar Zalmi in the HBL Pakistan Super League match, rekindling their playoff aspirations and climbing to third place in the standings.

Zalmi’s response was akin to firefighting, led by Aamer Jamal’s impressive half-century—a testament to his resilience and skill. Shadab’s 80 off 51 balls propelled Islamabad to a total of 196-4. However, Aamer fought a lone battle before eventually falling victim to Shadab, who claimed three wickets.

From the outset, Zalmi faced trouble, losing their destructive opening pair of Babar Azam and Saim Ayub in the very first over. Babar was run out at the non-striker’s end due to an underarm throw by Alex Hales, while Saim succumbed to Naseem Shah’s pace, with an inside edge off his gloves deflecting onto his thigh pad and into the hands of forward-lunging Salman Ali Agha at first slip.

Zalmi’s fortunes took a nosedive when Mohammad Haris, the first drop, chipped Rumman Raees’ delivery to Imad Wasim at short fine leg. The Peshawar side suffered a double blow when an athletic effort by wicket-keeper Azam Khan dismissed Tom Kohler-Cadmore, and an easy catch by Faheem Ashraf at square-leg sent Rovman Powell back to the pavilion. Both wickets fell in pacer Hunain Shah’s spell. By the end of the powerplay, the scorecard displayed a dismal 18-5.

Aamer and Paul Walter launched a counterattack, taking on the Islamabad bowlers with gusto. Their boundary-hitting spree, including a six smashed by Aamer over square-leg off Faheem, propelled Zalmi to 59-5 at the halfway mark.

In the 11th over, Aamer unleashed two consecutive sixes, one down the ground and the other over deep midwicket, igniting hope of a Zalmi comeback.

Aamer reached his half-century in just 27 balls, dragging Naseem off his legs for runs in the 13th over. He continued his assault, smashing Rumman for another six, while Walter added four more runs in the same direction in the subsequent over.

With 85 runs needed from the final six overs, Aamer and Walter had no choice but to go all out. However, their efforts yielded only 13 runs in the next two overs, with Walter eventually falling victim to Shadab.

As the pressure mounted, Aamer’s stunning sixes (87 off 49) against Shadab failed to alter Zalmi’s fate. Shadab dismissed Aamer and then dismantled the stumps of incoming batsman Mohammad Zeeshan, sealing the match.

Earlier, Islamabad’s batting had set the tone, plundering the Peshawar bowlers. Despite a shaky start, Shadab’s captain’s knock of 80 off 51 balls, featuring four fours and six sixes, put the home side in control. Unbeaten cameos from Jordan Cox (26 off 20) and Azam Khan (29 off 14) further compounded Zalmi’s woes.

Aamer Jamal’s Fighting Innings

Aamer Jamal showcased determination with a brilliant half-century, launching a counterattack against Islamabad United’s bowlers. However, his efforts were in vain as Shadab Khan dismissed him, contributing to Islamabad United’s commanding position in the match.

Islamabad United’s Fighting Spirt

It was a freezing night at the Pindi Cricket Stadium, where Islamabad United, donned in their vibrant red home colors, marked their return with a scintillating performance against Peshawar Zalmi in the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL).

Saim, renowned for his batting prowess, made an impact for Zalmi right from the first ball of the match. His deceptive carom ball straightened from the length, catching Islamabad opener Hales off guard.

The off-spinner continued to trouble the opposition, inducing a skier from Hales’ opening partner, Colin Munro. Babar comfortably pocketed the catch in the circle. Despite this, a spirited fightback ensued as Shadab and Salman combined forces, propelling the team to 46-2 by the end of the powerplay.

Shadab’s aggression persisted, as he dispatched pacer Aamer for a perfectly timed six in the subsequent over. Meanwhile, Salman punished leg-spinner Arif Yaqoob for bowling short, securing two boundaries in the ninth over.

With Shadab’s third maximum off fast bowler Walter, Islamabad reached 88-2 at the halfway mark. The 65-run partnership between Shadab and Salman, crafted off 44 balls, was eventually disrupted. Salman’s attempt to scoop pacer Salman Irshad resulted in a feather edge, caught by wicket-keeper Haris.

Undeterred, Shadab continued his assault. He lofted Arif straight down the ground for another six and reached his half-century in just 34 balls. In the 13th over, he edged Luke Wood behind for a boundary.

As the innings progressed, incoming batsman Cox slashed at pacer Zeeshan’s bounce, collecting a four and a six in the 14th over. Shadab then dispatched Aamer for two more sixes.

The former Pakistan vice-captain, Shadab, managed to chip a yorker from Salman Irshad past short fine leg for another four, bringing up Islamabad’s 150 in the 16th over. However, he fell in the subsequent over, caught by Saim at deep midwicket after holing out to Wood.

Azam Khan took charge from there, unleashing three fours and a handsome straight six off Salman Irshad and Aamer. His powerful drives down the ground contributed to Islamabad’s total, which proved more than sufficient to revive their campaign.

Captain Shadab Khan’s Dual Brilliance

In a match that showcased Islamabad United’s prowess, captain Shadab Khan took center stage with both bat and ball. His leadership and outstanding innings of 80 runs off 51 balls played a pivotal role in Islamabad United’s victory, propelling them to the third position in the standings.

Islamabad United’s Batting Showcase

The Cricket Stadium witnessed a batting spectacle from Islamabad United as they plundered the Peshawar Zalmi bowlers. Despite a shaky start, Shadab Khan’s captain’s knock, featuring four fours and six sixes, guided Islamabad United to a formidable total of 196-4. Jordan Cox and Azam Khan’s unbeaten cameos further solidified their dominance.

Shadab Khan’s Captaincy Masterclass

Known for his batting prowess, Shadab Khan exhibited leadership on the field. He not only led from the front with the bat but also made crucial decisions that dismantled Peshawar Zalmi’s batting lineup. Shadab’s all-round performance earned him the well-deserved title of Player of the Match.

Bowling Brilliance Secures Victory

Islamabad United’s bowlers, including Naseem Shah, Rumman Raees, and Hunain Shah, collectively dismantled Peshawar Zalmi’s batting order. Shadab Khan’s strategic use of bowlers and his own impactful bowling performance resulted in Peshawar Zalmi falling short by 29 runs.

Islamabad United’s comprehensive victory against Peshawar Zalmi not only revitalizes their playoff aspirations in the HBL PSL but also underscores the team’s collective strength in both batting and bowling. Shadab Khan’s captaincy and individual brilliance were the defining factors in this thrilling encounter at the Cricket Stadium.

SCOREBOARD

ISLAMABAD UNITED:

Extras (LB-7, W-2): 9

TOTAL (for four wickets, 20 overs): 196

DID NOT BAT: Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Hunain Shah, Naseem Shah, Rumman Raees

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-0 (Hales), 2-28 (Munro), 3-93 (Salman), 4-161 (Shadab)

BOWLING:

Saim 2-0-15-2 (1w)
Wood 4-0-34-1
Zeeshan 3-0-26-0
Aamer 3-0-35-0 (1w)
Arif 3-0-32-0
Walter 1-0-10-0
Salman 4-0-37-1

PESHAWAR ZALMI:

Extras (LB-9, W-10): 19

TOTAL (for nine wickets, 20 overs): 167

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-1 (Babar), 2-1 (Saim), 3-3 (Haris), 4-18 (Kohler-Cadmore), 5-18 (Powell), 6-125 (Walter), 7-152 (Aamer), 8-152 (Zeeshan), 9-152 (Wood)

BOWLING:

Naseem 4-1-26-1 (1w)
Rumman 4-0-28-2 (2w)
Faheem 3-0-31-0 (1w)
Hunain 4-1-25-2 (1w)
Shadab 4-0-41-3 (1w)
Imad 1-0-7-0

RESULT: Islamabad United won by 29 runs.

PLAYER-OF-THE-MATCH: Shadab Khan

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