IU vs PZ Archives

Aamer, Salman script Zalmi’s comeback as United crash out

LAHORE: Peshawar Zalmi’s pacers Aamer Jamal and Salman Irshad roared back to restrict Islamabad United to 171/6 in the run chase and powered their side to a scintillating 12-run victory in the first eliminator of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight.

Following an astonishing victory in the eliminator, Zalmi next face Lahore Qalandars in the second eliminator on Friday.

The United had an unwanted start to the run chase as the side lost their hard-hitting opener Rahmanullah Gurbaz (10) cheaply for just 13 runs in the second over.

Following an early setback, Sohaib Maqsood joined hands with Alex Hales and anchored the run chase with a sensational 115-run partnership for the second wicket with both scoring half-centuries.

It was all going United’s way until the first 14 overs as Aamer handed Zalmi a much-needed breakthrough on the first delivery of the 15th as he castled Maqsood.

The veteran right-handed batter top-scored for the United with 60 off 48 deliveries with the help of seven boundaries and two sixes.

Salman then castled Azam Khan (2) in the next over and strengthened Zalmi’s comeback into the game.

Aamer then struck again in the next over to claim the crucial wicket of Hales and pushed the United to the backfoot as they slipped to 137/4 in the 17th over.

The United then kept losing wickets at an alarming rate which also halted the flow of runs for the two-time champions as Zalmi managed to edge them by 12 runs despite Shadab Khan’s unbeaten 26 off 12.

Aamer and Salman led the bowling attack for Zalmi with two wickets each, while Azmatullah Omarzai made one scalp.

Put into bat first in an all-important clash against United, Zalmi were off to a flying start; courtesy of a brilliant opening partnership between Babar and Saim Ayub.

The pair charged the United bowlers right from the start and put them under immense pressure.

United were deteriorating against the baton charge led by Babar with Saim also supporting. However, Mohammad Wasim Jr struck in the fifth over of the innings to draw the first success for his side as he dismissed Saim, who scored 23 off 16 with the help of five boundaries.

Babar then joined hands with Haseebullah Khan, who was promoted ahead of wicketkeeper batter Mohammad Haris and maintained his side’s momentum with a valiant 36-run partnership.

The pair added 36 runs in just 24 balls before Shadab Khan broke the budding partnership by getting young Haseebullah stumped in the ninth over. He scored an 11-ball 15.

Babar then put on yet another vital partnership for his side as he, alongside Haris put on a 41-run partnership and made sure to score at a decent pace before Shadab trapped him plumb in front to trigger United’s comeback into the game.

Babar top-scored for Zalmi with 64 off just 39 deliveries, hitting 10 boundaries.

After Babar’s dismissal, Zalmi were 137/3 in 13 overs and they could only add 46 runs in the last seven overs at the expense of five wickets with Haris also falling short in the collapse.

The wicketkeeper batter scored a 17-ball 34, which featured three boundaries and two sixes.

Shadab led the bowling attack for the United with 2/40 while Wasim Jr, Hasan Ali, Faheem Ashraf and Fazalhaq Farooqi struck out a batter each.

United opt to bowl first against Zalmi in first PSL 8 Eliminator

LAHORE: Islamabad United have won the toss and elected to field first against Peshawar Zalmi in the first eliminator of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight on Thursday.

PLAYING XIs

Islamabad United: Alex Hales, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Colin Munro, Sohaib Maqsood, Shadab Khan (c), Azam Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Mubasir Khan, Mohammad Wasim Jr, Hasan Ali, Fazalhaq Farooqi.

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Haseebullah Khan, Wahab Riaz, Azmatullah Omarzai, Mujeeb Ur Rehman, Salman Irshad.

HEAD TO HEAD

Matches 20, Islamabad United 10, Peshawar Zalmi 10

Haris, bowlers deny United qualifier spot as Zalmi seal thrilling win

RAWALPINDI: Mohammad Haris played a superb 79-run knock before a combined bowling effort propelled Peshawar Zalmi to a thrilling 13-run win over Islamabad United on Sunday to confirm the qualifiers spot for Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League season 8.

Set to chase a respectable 180, Islamabad United were bundled out for 166 in the final over, losing the opportunity to end the league stage of the tournament ahead of second-placed Sultans, who are equal on points but with a slightly better run rate.

United put on a dismal show with the bat after their bowlers restricted Peshawar to 179/8 despite Mohammad Haris’ blistering 79 from 39 balls at the top.

Faheem Ashraf, on the other hand, played a brilliant cameo of 38 from 13 and kept United’s hopes on tenterhooks till the final over, however, he failed to sail his team through as pacer Khurram Shahzad cleaned him up on the third ball.

United underwent an unwanted start to their chase as opener Hasan Nawaz was dismissed on a duck off Shahzad’s first over.

Alex Hales, Sohaib Maqsood and Colin Munro chipped in with brief innings as Zalmi continued to find breakthroughs at regular intervals.

Rahmanullah Gurbaz and Shadab, however, held the fort in the middle overs with individual knocks of 33 and 25, respectively before James Neesham and spinner Sufiyan Muqeem ran through the middle order.

Muqeem removed Shadab before making back-to-back strikes in the 16th over, dismissing Asif Ali (5) and Hasan Ali (0).

Faheem led a counterattack in the last five overs and smashed four maximums and two fours to keep United in contention but Shahzad made sure the left-hander would not repeat a similar heroic finish that he had done against Multan Sultans earlier this week. The pacer then castled down tailender Fazalhaq Farooqi on the very next ball to bring the curtains down for United.

Shahzad and Muqeem grabbed three wickets each while Neesham and Aamer Jamal took two wickets apiece.

Earlier, Haris and Bhanuka Rajapaksa gathered a superb 115-run partnership to put Zalmi in command in the first half of the innings before Shadab Khan and Hasan Ali came back strongly and unsettled the batting side.

Shadab got rid of both Rajapaksa and Haris before Hasan Ali took three quick wickets to reduce Zalmi to 161/8 inside 17 overs from a comfortable position of 116/1 in 10 overs.

Electing to field first, United earned the breakthrough in the very first over through pacer Fazalhaq Farooqi who dismissed youngster Sam Ayub on a duck.

Haris, however, wrested the momentum back from United’s grip along with Rajapaksa as Zalmi raised 69 for the loss of one in the powerplay.

The right-hander took 26 balls to complete his fifty while Rajapaksa chipped in with a controlled knock of 25-ball 41 before Shadab sent him back in the hut.

Tom Kohler-Cadmore, who stood in as Zalmi captain in the absence of Babar Azam, could not create a major impact with an additional burden on his shoulder as he fell prey to Faheem Ashraf in the 12th over on a paltry 12 from 5 balls.

Shadab handed Zalmi the most fatal blow in the next over when he perished strong-looking Haris with Hasan grabbing the catch at long-on

Haris’ dismissal triggered the panic button for Zalmi which saw the next four wickets falling in quick succession for the addition of mere 21 runs between the 14th and 17th over.

Hasan Ali opened his account with a big wicket of James Neesham (1) before dismissing Aamer Jamal (9) and Mujeeb ur Rehman (2) in the same over.

Amid Hasan’s phenomenal spell, Mohammad Wasim cleaned up Haseebullah Khan to register his name to the wickets column.

United opt to field first, Peshawar Zalmi rest Babar Azam

RAWALPINDI: Islamabad United won the toss and elected to bowl first against Peshawar Zalmi in the 29th match of the Pakistan Super League season 8.

Tom Kohler-Cadmore will lead Peshawar Zalmi in place of Babar Azam, who has been ruled out of today’s match due to illness.

Playing XIs:

Peshawar Zalmi: Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris, Tom Kohler-Cadmore (c), Haseebullah Khan, Bhanuka Rajapaksa, Jimmy Neesham, Aamer Jamal, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Khurram Shehzad, Salman Irshad, Sufiyan Muqeem

Islamabad United: Alex Hales, Hassan Nawaz, Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Sohaib Maqsood, Colin Munro, Shadab Khan, Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Mohammad Waseem, Hassan Ali, Fazalhaq Farooqi

Gurbaz credits pre-match chat with Babar for solid performance

KARACHI: Islamabad United batter Rahmanullah Gurbaz has credited the useful tips shared by Babar Azam before the game for his sensational knock against Peshawar Zalmi on Thursday.

Aghanistan’s Gurbaz struck a quickfire half-century and bolstered Islamabad United to thrash Peshawar Zalmi by six wickets in the 12th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight.

He claimed that the pre-match chat with the Pakistan captain helped him a lot to change the way he used to bat.

“I changed one thing in my batting today. I also focused on some strike rotation. Before this, I just try to hit too hard but today my focus was also to play some good cricketing shots,” he said in a post-match press conference.

“I spoke to Babar before the match and asked about his mindset. He shared his experience with me and I applied that to my batting and it helped.”

“Earlier, I was just keen on hitting every ball but today I saw his (Babar’s) batting as well and observed how he rotates strike and hit boundaries,” he added.

The right-hander scored 62 in just 31 balls, smashing seven fours and four sixes, to put United in command before he was dismissed in the ninth over off Usman Qadir.

The 21-year-old also hailed the PSL for the quality it offers and claimed that he would share the experience with his teammates back home.

READ: Australia captain Cummins out of third Test against India

Islamabad United win toss, opt to bowl first against Peshawar Zalmi

KARACHI: Islamabad United have won the toss and elected to bowl first against Babar-Azam led Peshawar Zalmi in the 12th match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season eight.

Peshawar Zalmi: Babar Azam, Mohammad Haris, Saim Ayub, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Rovman Powell, Dasun Shanaka, Jimmy Neesham, Wahab Riaz, Usman Qadir, Arshad Iqbal, Sufyan Muqeem.

Islamabad United: Rahmanullah Gurbaz, Colin Munro, Rassie van der Dussen, Shadab Khan, Azam Khan, Asif Ali, Mubasir Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Tom Curran, Hasan Ali, Rumman Raees

HEAD TO HEAD

Matches 19, Peshawar Zalmi-9, Islamabad United-9, No Result-1

United knock out Zalmi, advance to second PSL 7 eliminator

LAHORE: Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi by five wickets in a thrilling first eliminator of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 7, here at Gaddafi Stadium.

With a stunning victory, the United will now face Lahore Qalandars in the second eliminator tomorrow for the final berth.

Set to chase 170, United chased down the total with three balls to spare as Liam Dawson hit a six and a boundary to steer his side over the line after brilliant knocks of Alex Hales and Azam Khan.

Earlier, in the run chase, the United openers provided a fair start for the run chase as Will Jacks departed after managing to score 11. His partner Hales, on the other hand, stood firm and kept the scoreboard ticking alongside Shadab Khan.

The pair put on an important 34-runs partnership as the batters accelerated the innings with some big hits. Shadab departed earlier after scoring 22 off 17 balls; smashing one boundary and a six.

Hales then joined hands with the newly arrived Azam to proceed to score his half-century. He, however, could not continue for long as Salman Irshad yorked him for 62. He faced 49 balls and smoked six boundaries and three sixes.

Azam also played a crucial 28-runs knock before walking back to the pavilion in the final over. He faced 22 balls and smashed three boundaries including two sixes.

For the Zalmi, Salman bagged three wickets, while Khalid Usman and Benny Howell struck out a batter each.

After opting to bat first in the first qualifier, the Zalmi managed to post a commendable 169-5 in the allotted 20 overs, thanks to the fifties from their experienced batters Kamran Akmal and Shoaib Malik.

Coming out to bat, the Zalmi openers Mohammad Haris and Kamran failed to provide a flying start to the side as Faheem Ashraf managed to break the opening partnership for 30. Haris, who was looking firm perished after scoring 12.

His opening partner, Kamran however, stood firm and kept the scoreboard ticking single-handedly while the newly joined batter Yaris Khan walked back to the pavilion after scoring cheaply.

Kamran then put on an important 40-runs partnership with Malik and reached his half-century. He, however, could not continue for long as he departed after scoring 58 off 39 balls; smashing seven boundaries and two sixes.

Malik then put things under his control and accelerated the innings with the left-hander Hussain Talat. The pair put on a quick 56-runs partnership for the fourth wicket before Talat perished while attempting to scoop Hassan Ali’s full-length delivery; handing an easy catch to the short fine leg. He scored a quick 28 off 15 balls, laced with five boundaries.

Malik, on the other hand, carried his bat till the last over and scored a magnificent 55 off 43 balls. The veteran smashed four boundaries and two sixes in the course of his stunning knock.

Following the late power hitting, the Zalmi finished at 169-5 in the first innings; setting a 170-runs target for the United.

For the United, Hasan starred; taking three wickets, while Shadab and Faheem struck out a batter each.

Zalmi win toss, elect to bat first against United in first PSL 7 eliminator

LAHORE: Peshawar Zalmi has won the toss and elected to bat first against Islamabad United in the first eliminator of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 7, here at Gaddafi Stadium.

PLAYING XIs

Islamabad United: Shadab Khan (c), Alex Hales, Will Jacks, Azam Khan, Asif Ali, Faheem Ashraf, Liam Dawson, Hasan Ali, Athar Mahmood, Zahid Mahmood, Waqas Maqsood

Peshawar Zalmi: Wahab Riaz (c), Benny Howell, Kamran Akmal, Mohammad Haris, Shoaib Malik, Hussain Talat, Haider Ali, Khalid Usman, Salman Irshad, Yasir Khan, Ali Majid

HEAD TO HEAD

Matches-18, Peshawar Zalmi-9, Islamabad United-8, No Result-1

United, Zalmi to lock horns in first PSL 7 eliminator today

LAHORE: In the first eliminator of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 7, third-ranked Peshawar Zalmi will compete with the injury-hurt Islamabad United, with the winner advancing to face Lahore Qalandars in the second eliminator, here at Gaddafi Stadium.

Former champions Zalmi and United will be seeking a win to advance to the second eliminator against the Qalandars. After losing to Multan Sultans in the qualifier, Qalandars have already set their sights on the winner of the first eliminator.

The 2017 PSL champions Zalmi, which were struggling to get going in the early stages, have found the momentum. The side won their last four matches including a super over win against Qalandars.

The top-order of the side, except for Mohammad Haris has been a concern for the side as their Afghan explosive batter – Hazratullah Zazai had a forgetful tournament so far.

However, the top-order failure posed little to no concern to the side as the veteran cricketer Shoaib Malik, Hussain Talat, and Ben Cutting are scoring crucial runs for the team in the middle-order.

The bowling department of the Zalmi, led by the skipper Wahab Riaz himself has been through a major confidence booster as Wahab bowled a magnificent super over against Qalandars and conceded only five runs.

However, Mohammad Umar, who went for 23 runs in his last over against Qalandars’ Shaheen Shah Afridi will be a concern for the men in yellow.

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The United, on the other hand, had a contrasting run to Zalmi as the side which was going strongly were jolted by the injury scare as their skipper and the leading wicket-taker of the tournament Shadab Khan and other key players became unavailable for the side.

However, the latest reports are suggesting that the United skipper Shadab Khan and English explosive opener Alex Hales will be available for selection today in their fixture against Zalmi.

Furthermore, fast bowler Hassan Ali and all-rounder Faheem Ashraf will also undergo fitness tests prior to the match and might also be available for the match today.

These inclusions may result in a confidence booster for the side, that lost four out of their last five matches. Returning Shadab and Hales can play an important role to assist their side to bounce back strongly in the mega event.

The side also possesses the firepower in their middle-order as Azam Khan and Asif Ali can hit the ball big and can turn things around.

HEAD TO HEAD

Matches-17, Peshawar Zalmi-9, Islamabad United-8