Islamabad United have moved to third spot in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine points table after beating Peshawar Zalmi by 29 runs at the Pindi Cricket Stadium.
United and Zalmi have the same seven points in seven matches but Shadab’s men hold a better Net Run Rate (NRR). Multan Sultans (12 points) are at the top of the table while Quetta Gladiators are at second (9 points).
Shadab Khan’s men restricted Babar Azam and Co. to 167/9 after posting 196/4. Peshawar faced challenges in the chase from the start, losing Babar on a golden duck due to Alex Hales’ run-out in the first over bowled by Naseem Shah.
Naseem dismissed SaimAyub on the last ball of the over, and RummanRaees claimed Mohammad Haris, leaving Peshawar at 3-3.
In the last over of the Power Play, Shadab Khan introduced Naseem’s brother, Hunain Shah, who took two wickets—Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Rovman Powell.
Aamer Jamal and Paul Walter revived Zalmi’s hopes, putting up a strong sixth-wicket partnership in the run chase. Aamer Jamal impressed the Rawalpindi crowd with a remarkable 49-ball 87, including six sixes and eight fours. Walter supported with a 29-ball 30.
In the first innings, Peshawar chose to field and struck early as SaimAyub dismissed Alex Hales on the first ball. Despite Colin Munro’s six and four in the next over, Ayub had the last laugh, dismissing him while attempting another boundary.
At 28-2 in three overs, Shadab Khan and Salman Ali Agha formed a crucial 65-run partnership for the third wicket in 44 balls. Salman Irshad’s breakthrough in the 11th over, dismissing Agha, halted the recovery.
Agha departed after a brave 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 51-ball 80, including 10 boundaries and six sixes, ended when Luke Wood took his wicket with Islamabad reaching 161 runs.
