KARACHI – Pakistan Super League season 9 eliminator 2 was a thriller for fans and Islamabad United breezed into final by defeating Babar Azam’s Peshawar Zalmi by three wickets.
Imad Wasim’s elegant drive through the covers secures a memorable win for United, leaving Yellow Storm visibly disheartened. It was a match to remember, as Imad and Haider skillfully guided their team to much needed victory.
This was certainly a game for the fans, with Imad and Haider successfully taking red hot United side to main event. The duo’s unbeaten partnership of 98 runs took dream of Peshawar Zalmi.
Zalmi bat first and got a strong start with Babar Azam and Saim setting a solid base. Saim was the aggressor, while skipper played a more cautious innings before being dismissed by Naseem Shah for 72 runs.
Saim continued to score well and was joined by Haris, with the two adding 59 runs together before Saim was out in the 15th over.
The young blood was the top-scorer for Zalmi with 73 runs, while Haris contributed 40 runs. Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Aamer Jamal also made key contributions, helping Zalmi reach a total of over 180 runs. Naseem Shah was the pick of the bowlers for Islamabad United, taking 3/30, while Shadab Khan and Obed McCoy took one wicket each.
Islamabad United on Saturday won the toss and invited Peshawar Zalmi to bat in Eliminator 2 of Pakistan Super League (PSL) 9 at National Bank Stadium.
Shadab’s men enter second eliminator after a thrilling victory over Quetta Gladiators. Meanwhile, Zalmi suffered a defeat in their last match against Sultans in Qualifier 1 but will be aiming for a comeback to secure a spot in the final match.
Peshawar Zalmi team: Babar Azam (c), Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris (wk), Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Hussain Talat, Rovman Powell, Aamir Jamal, Luke Wood, Mehran Mumtaz, Arif Yaqoob, Khurram Shahzad
Islamabad United team: Shadab Khan (c), Alex Hales, Martin Guptill, Salman Ali Agha, Azam Khan (wk), Haider Ali, Imad Wasim, Faheem Ashraf, Naseem Shah, Hunain Shah, Obed McCoy
So far, both sides played 23 Matches, Peshawar Zalmi remains ahead with 12 wins, Islamabad United raked in 11 games.