by: TN Media News Pakistan:
Islamabad United secured a 29-run victory over Peshawar Zalmi in an intense match during the ongoing Pakistan Super League season nine at the Pindi Cricket Ground in Rawalpindi, avenging their previous defeat on February 26. Led by Shadab Khan, Islamabad United’s bowlers restricted Peshawar Zalmi to 167/9 after setting a formidable target of 196/4.
Peshawar faced a challenging chase from the outset, losing Babar Azam for a golden duck due to Alex Hales’ run-out in the first over bowled by Naseem Shah. Naseem also dismissed Saim Ayub on the last ball of the over, and Rumman Raees claimed Mohammad Haris, leaving Peshawar at 3-3.
In the Power Play’s final over, Shadab Khan introduced Naseem’s brother, Hunain Shah, who took two crucial wickets—Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Rovman Powell. Despite Aamer Jamal and Paul Walter’s efforts to revive Zalmi’s hopes with a strong sixth-wicket partnership, Jamal’s impressive 87 off 49 balls, including six sixes and eight fours, was not enough. Walter supported with a 29-ball 30.
Shadab Khan was the standout bowler for Islamabad, finishing with figures of 3/41, while Raees and Hunain each claimed two wickets. In the first innings, Peshawar Zalmi opted to field first and struck early as Saim Ayub dismissed Alex Hales on the first ball. Despite Colin Munro’s aggressive start, Ayub dismissed him in the next over while attempting another boundary.
At 28-2 in three overs, Shadab Khan and Salman Ali Agha built a crucial 65-run partnership for the third wicket in 44 balls. Salman Irshad’s breakthrough in the 11th over, dismissing Agha, halted Islamabad’s momentum. Agha departed after a brisk 37 off 25, featuring four boundaries and two sixes. Shadab Khan continued his aggressive play, forming a 68-run partnership with Jordan Cox in 39 balls.
Shadab’s dynamic innings of 80 off 51 balls, including 10 boundaries and six sixes, came to an end when Luke Wood took his wicket, with Islamabad reaching 161 runs. Azam Khan’s unbeaten cameo of 29 off 14 balls boosted the total to 196-4 in 20 overs. Cox remained unbeaten at 26 off 20, with two boundaries and one six.
Saim Ayub led Peshawar’s bowling with figures of 2-15, while Wood and Irshad claimed one wicket each.
