KARACHI: Alex Hales and Paul Stirling didn’t look back as they helped Islamabad United to chase down 169 runs in 15.5 overs to beat Peshawar Zalmi by nine wickets in the fifth match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) season 7 here at National Stadium on Sunday. 

Set to chase 169 runs, Hales and Stirling smacked Zalmi bowlers all around the park. The opening duo scored 112 runs in 9.3 overs to lay down a solid foundation for United to win their opening match in PSL 7.

Hales remained not out for 82 runs laced with 13 boundaries and a six whereas Stirling fire powered 57 runs including seven boundaries and three sixes. Rahmanullah Gurbaz also supported in-form Hales and scored 27 with the help of a boundary and two sixes. The two partnered strongly to score match-winning 55 runs.

Sent into bat first, Sherfane Rutherfood stood like a wall for Zalmi as they managed to recover well against United on double-header Sunday.

Recovering strongly from 35-4, Rutherford alongside experienced Shoaib Malik scored 73 runs together as they reached 108-4 in 14.2 overs.

Malik fell to Mohammad Wasim Jr after scoring 25 with the help of two boundaries and a six. But, Rutherford held things strongly for his team as he remained not out for 70 runs off 46 balls laced with seven boundaries and three sixes.

Ben Cutting also made a worthy contribution by smacking four boundaries to score four boundaries.

Hasan Ali and Faheem Ashraf started the proceedings for United by picking up two quick wickets. The right-arm duo managed to take two wickets each. Wasim Jr and skipper Shadab Khan took a wicket.