QUETTA: Fast bowler Wahab Riaz hailed Iftikhar Ahmed for his batting onslaught during the PSL exhibition match between Quetta Gladiators and Peshawar Zalmi on Sunday, which witnessed an impeccable six maximums in an over by the latter.
Iftikhar, who smoked Wahab for six sixes in the final over of the first innings, played an astounding knock of unbeaten 94 runs to help Galadiators seal a tense three-run win over Zalmi.
Taking to Twitter after the match, Wahab said he was disappointed over his bowling but at the same time ‘happy’ for Iftikhar for the way he batted.
“Wonderful display of batting by @IftiAhmed221. Unbelievable shots and the command he has shown was amazing. I’m disappointed but happy for you brother. Keep going!” he tweeted.
Wonderful display of batting by @IftiAhmed221. Unbelievable shots and the command he has shown was amazing. I’m disappointed but happy for you brother. Keep going!
— Wahab Riaz (@WahabViki) February 5, 2023
Set to chase a mammoth target of 185, Peshawar Zalmi fell short of the target despite a promising start by young Mohammad Haris and skipper Babar Azam.
Haris made 53 from 35 balls while Peshawar and Pakistan captain Babar scored 23 from 18 balls. Star all-rounder Shahid Afridi played a short cameo of 17-ball 25 amid roars and loud cheers by the enthusiastic Quetta crowd.
For Quetta, Mohammad Hasnain led the bowling charge as he picked up three wickets for 30 runs in his four overs, while player of the match Iftikhar also had two wickets to his credit besides his batting exploits.
Earlier, Veteran pacer Wahab provided Zalmi with early breakthroughs, dismissing Ahsan Ali and Umar Akmal in the second over after skipper Babar elected to field first. He took three wickets but conceded 47 runs in his full quota of four overs.
Gladiators fought back in the second half of the innings to post a respectable total on the board with Iftikhar firing in with his massive hits and keeping jam-packed Bugti Stadium on its toes.
Khusdhil Shah, on the other hand, contributed 36 from 24 balls before he fell prey to Wahab in the 18th over.
Quetta Captain Sarafaraz, however, managed just four from 12 balls before he was knocked out by Aamer Jamal. who could only score four runs, was cleaned up by Aamir Jamal. Abdul Wahid Bangalzai scored 28 in 19.
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