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LAHORE: Babar Azam’s composed half-century and Maaz Sadaqat’s eye-catching knock led Peshawar Zalmi to a comfortable victory over Islamabad United in the 22nd match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 here at Gaddafi Stadium on Friday.
Peshawar Zalmi successfully chased a target of 144 runs, completing the match in just 16.4 overs with six wickets remaining and 20 balls to spare.
The innings began poorly as Mitchell Owen was out on the second ball after hitting the first for a six. His opening partner, Saim Ayub, followed shortly after, scoring only one run before being dismissed by Ben Dwarshuis.
With Zalmi struggling at 12 for 2, captain Babar Azam and wicketkeeper Mohammad Haris partnered to steady the innings.
Haris, however, was out in the sixth over, caught by Riley Meredith after scoring 13 runs, leaving the scoreboard at 38 for 3 after 5.5 overs.
Debutant Maaz Sadaqat then joined Azam, and together they played conservatively to strengthen their position.
Sadaqat impressively scored a fifty in his first match for Zalmi during the ongoing PSL 10, establishing a match-winning partnership of 98 runs with Azam.
He finished with 55 runs off 33 balls, which featured four fours and three sixes.
Babar Azam finished unbeaten on 53 as Peshawar Zalmi chased down the 144-run target, losing a total of four wickets.
Earlier, after opting to bat first, Islamabad United posted 143 for nine in their allocated 20 overs.
The defending champions’ opener laid a strong foundation with a 58-run stand. Sahibzada Farhan got going after being reprieved by Babar Azam, who dropped an easy catch in the first over.
Sahibzada Farhan scored 15 runs in the fifth over bowled by Mohammad Ali, bringing the scorecard to 45 runs.
The partnership was eventually broken in the ninth over as Sahibzada was removed after scoring 36 off 35 balls with the help of a six and four fours. Soon after, Kyle Mayers was also removed on 18 off 18 deliveries.
The wicket triggered a collapse that Islamabad United never recovered from. Salman Agha (4), Colin Munro (12) and Shadab Khan (15) went in quick succession, leaving United reeling at 89-5 in 13.1 overs.
The wickets continued to tumble with Saad Masood (1), Azam Khan (8) and Imad Wasim (10), all going without significant contributions.
However, it was Ben Dwarshuis’ cameo which lifted Islamabad United to a fighting total. He scored an unbeaten 33 off 17 balls laced with three fours and two sixes.
For Peshawar Zalmi, Mohammad Ali was the stand-out bowler, claiming three for 26 in his four overs while Luke Wood, Alzarri Joseph, Saim Ayub, Hussain Talat and Ahmed Daniyal picked up a wicket each.
PLAYING XIs
Islamabad United: Kyle Mayers, Sahibzada Farhan, Colin Munro, Salman Ali Agha, Shadab Khan (c), Azam Khan (wk), Imad Wasim, Saad Masood, Ben Dwarshuis, Naseem Shah, Riley Meredith
Peshawar Zalmi: Mitchell Owen, Saim Ayub, Babar Azam (c), Mohammad Haris (wk), Hussain Talat, Max Bryant, Maaz Sadaqat, Luke Wood, Alzari Joseph, Ahmed Daniyal, Mohammad Ali
