Peshawar Zalmi dumped Islamabad United with a 12-run win in Eliminator 1 match of the Pakistan Super League 2023 on Thursday, March 16. Babar Azam played a captain’s knock of 64 off 39 to help the Zalmi score 183/8 while batting first. Then the bowlers impressed with economical spells to restrict the United to 171/6 and set a meeting against Lahore Qalandars in Eliminator 2 clash.
Islamabad United skipper Shadab Khan won the toss and decided to bowl first at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium. Babar and Wahab returned to the playing XI for the Zalmi after being rested in the last game.
Babar continued his red-hot form with a quick 60-run stand with youngster Saim Ayub for the opening wicket. Ayub scored 23 off 16 before getting out on Mohammad Wasim’s delivery in the fifth over. But Babar recorded another stunning fifty by smashing 64 off 39 with the help of ten fours.
Shadab dismissed Babar in the 13th over but Mohammad Haris kept the Zalmi on track for a big total by adding 34 off 17. The United’s bowlers made a late comeback and contained the Zalmi on 183/8 with Shadab getting two big wickets.
Afghan all-rounder Azmatullah Omarzai gave the Zalmi an opening they needed with Rahmanullah Gurbaz’s wicket in the second over. But Alex Hales and Sohaib Maqsood shifted the momentum in favor of United by smashing a 115-run partnership for the second wicket.
Aamer Jamal brought the Zalmi back in the game with Hales and Maqsood’s wickets. Hales smashed 57 off 37 and Maqsood top-scored with 60 off 48. Salman Irshad then completely changed the game for Zalmi with Azam Khan and Colin Munro’s early wickets. Shadab kept the United alive till the end by scoring 26* off just 12 but his team fell 12 runs short of the target.
What’s next for both teams?
Shadab Khan-led Islamabad United’s PSL 2023 campaign ended with this defeat while victorious Peshawar Zalmi will face the reigning champions Lahore Qalandars in the Eliminator 2 fixture at Lahore’s Gaddafi Stadium on March 17.
