Advertisement
Advertisement
KARACHI: Babar Azam swashbuckling century propelled Peshawar Zalmi into the final of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 with a decisive victory over Islamabad United in the Qualifier at the National Stadium on Tuesday.
Set a massive 222 run target, United batting lineup faltered under pressure and were bowled out for 151 in 18.4 overs.
In pursuit of a big chase, United openers — Sameer Minhas and Devon Conway came out with intent. The pair took complete advantage of the fielding restrictions, putting on 58 at the end of five overs.
Minhas remained the core aggressor while Conway fell after managing 20 off 14, striking a boundary and two sixes.
After the first wicket, Zalmi slowed things down. Mohsin Riaz joined Sameer, adding a brief 23 runs before latter’s wicket opened the door.
Sameer Minhas was going well until a short of a length ball from Aaron Hardie got big on him. He made 44 from 23 deliveries, hitting a six and seven fours.
The wicket broke United’s momentum as their slide continued until the very end. As a result, they slumped from 81-2 to 113-7 in 13.5 overs.
Imad Wasim (22 off 15) resisted till the penultimate over, which only reduced the margin of defeat for them.
For Zalmi, it was Aaron Hardie, who starred with the ball, taking three wickets in his four overs. Sufiyan Muqeem and Mohammad Basit shared four wickets between them.
Earlier, Babar Azam’s sublime century headlined a dominant batting display by Peshawar Zalmi. Asked to bat first, Zalmi piled up 221-7 in 20 overs, thanks to Babar Azam’s 103 from 59 balls.
The opening pair of Mohammad Haris and Babar Azam came out all guns blazing, finishing the powerplay at 68 for nought.
Soon after the fielding restrictions were lifted, Shadab Khan, bowling his opening over, removed dangerous Haris — caught at cover brilliantly after scoring 35 off 16 balls, including five fours and two sixes.
Despite the wicket, Babar Azam, who was joined by Kusal Mendis — both topping the runs chart in PSL 11, forged 84 off 51 balls for the second wicket partnership.
The inform duo pounded anything loose with disdain, bringing the total to 156 in just 14.5 overs. However, the stand eventually culminated with Mendis’ wicket. The right-hander struck four boundaries and a maximum.
Mendis wicket brought United back into the game as Shadab struck twice in the next over to halt Zalmi’s progress. Michael Bracewell (2) and Abdul Samad (0) were sent back on successive deliveries.
As a result, they were 164-4 in 16 overs.
Yet, Babar continued to motor on from the other end as he smashed three boundaries in Faheem Ashraf’s next over and then followed up with two fours and a six to complete his majestic century — fourth in PSL history.
The 31-year-old was eventually caught on the boundary after hitting 12 fours and four maximums.
For Islamabad United, Shadab Khan stood out with three wickets to his name.
READ: Hasan Nawaz’s India comments go viral after ‘hate’ remark
