Former captain Misbah-ul-Haq has blamed the team selection by Peshawar Zalmi as well as tactical decision-making for the loss against Islamabad United during the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 9.
Peshawar Zalmi succumbed to a 29-run loss against Islamabad United after they managed only 167 while chasing 197.
Misbah-ul-Haq, during the A-Sports show ‘The Pavilion,’ opened up about the reasons for Peshawar Zalmi’s dismal performance.
“Peshawar Zalmi should blame themselves. They made errors, starting from the team selection,” said the former captain.
“They strengthened their bowling but chose to bowl first after winning the toss. If a team has added two bowlers then they should have batted first,” he further added.
"They should blame themselves…" @captainmisbahpk criticises #PeshawarZalmi's team selection and tactics.
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Misbah-ul-Haq also questioned the decision to drop top-order batter Haseebullah Khan and lower-order finisher Asif Ali.
“Dropping Haseebullah was surprising. And they should have played Asif Ali at number six as a proper finisher instead of Paul Walter,” Misbah stated.
For the unversed, Peshawar Zalmi had a horrible start to their chase as they lost both openers in the first over with only one run on the board.
Skipper Babar Azam got run out at the non-striker end, while Saim Ayub was caught in the slip by Salman Ali Agha.
Their batters failed to handle the pressure and soon found themselves slipped to 18-5 inside the power play.
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With 179 required off 86 balls and five wickets, Peshawar Zalmi appeared to get bundled out for a paltry total.
However, Aamir Jamal fought back with a one-sided 107-run partnership with Paul Walter, who scored only 29.
Jamal launched a controlled onslaught on Islamabad United bowlers, hitting shots across all sides of the park during his 87-run knock from 49 balls.
He smashed a total of 14 boundaries including six sixes.
However, Shadab Khan broke the partnership by removing Walter and castled Jamal in the next over to seal the deal for his side.
With 45 needed off two overs, Zalmi managed only 15 runs and suffered their third loss in the PSL 9.