Luke Wood and Arif Yaqoob Shine as Peshawar Zalmi Clinch Thrilling Win Against Multan Sultans

In a pulsating encounter at the Multan Cricket Stadium, Peshawar Zalmi emerged victorious with a nail-biting five-run win over Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 9. The match, played on Friday night, witnessed standout performances from Luke Wood and debutant Arif Yaqoob, securing a thrilling victory for the visiting team.

Match Highlights:

Peshawar Zalmi’s Batting Display:

Peshawar Zalmi, opting to bat first after winning the toss, got off to a steady start. Saim Ayub fell early, but captain Babar Azam and Haseebullah Khan built a solid partnership. However, Usama Mir’s crucial breakthroughs disrupted Zalmi’s momentum. Babar Azam (31 off 26 balls) and Haseebullah Khan (37 off 18 balls) were among the notable contributors.

Despite the wickets falling at regular intervals, Rovman Powell’s quickfire 23 off 11 balls boosted Zalmi’s total to 179-8 in 20 overs. Luke Wood remained unbeaten with a valuable 17 runs.

Multan Sultans’ Chase:

Multan Sultans faced an early setback as captain Mohammad Rizwan departed for a three-ball duck, courtesy of Luke Wood. Yasir Khan and Reeza Hendricks stitched a partnership, but wickets kept falling. Dawid Malan’s explosive innings of 52 off 25 balls and Hendricks’ contribution kept Sultans in the hunt.

The 17th over brought drama, with Sultans needing 50 off four overs. Debutant Arif Yaqoob played a crucial role, dismissing key batsmen, including Khushdil Shah and Usama Mir. The last over intensified the excitement, but Wood’s penultimate over and Naveen-ul-Haq’s final ball secured victory for Zalmi.

Key Performers:

Luke Wood, named the Player of the Match, played a vital role with both bat and ball. Arif Yaqoob, making his PSL debut, impressed with three crucial wickets. Usama Mir and David Willey also made significant contributions with the ball.

Post-Match Reflections:

The thrilling encounter marked Multan Sultans’ first loss in PSL 9 after winning their initial three games. Despite Iftikhar Ahmed’s valiant effort, falling on the penultimate delivery, Sultans fell short of the target.

Bowling Figures:

Arif Yaqoob – 3 wickets for 43 runs in 4 overs
Luke Wood – 2 wickets for 37 runs in 4 overs
Naveen-ul-Haq – 2 wickets for 33 runs in 4 overs
Salman Irshad – 2 wickets for 38 runs in 4 overs

Batting Contributions:

Dawid Malan – 52 runs off 25 balls
Haseebullah Khan – 37 runs off 18 balls
Rovman Powell – 23 runs off 11 balls

The closely contested match showcased the unpredictable nature of T20 cricket, leaving fans on the edge of their seats. Peshawar Zalmi’s exceptional bowling, led by Luke Wood and Arif Yaqoob, played a pivotal role in securing their victory against Multan Sultans.