In a pulsating encounter at the Multan Cricket Ground, Peshawar Zalmi secured a nail-biting five-run victory over Multan Sultans in a captivating fixture of Pakistan Super League (PSL) Season 9 on Friday.
Match Highlights:
The Yellow Storm, seeking their first win of the PSL 9 campaign, set a challenging target of 180 runs for Multan Sultans. The drama unfolded in the last over when Sultans’ power-hitter Iftikhar Ahmed faced Zalmi’s Naveen-ul-Haq but failed to take his side over the line.
The Sultans faced an early setback when skipper Mohammad Rizwan departed for a duck in the second over to Luke Wood. Despite a spirited effort from Yasir Khan (43 runs), the team struggled to accelerate the innings. Dawid Malan’s explosive innings of 52 runs off 25 balls injected life into the chase, but after his dismissal, Sultans couldn’t sustain their momentum.
Usama Mir added a glimmer of hope with two consecutive sixes, but his departure on the third ball turned the tide. With Iftikhar Ahmed at the crease, Sultans needed six runs on two balls, but Naveen-ul-Haq’s crucial delivery led to Iftikhar’s dismissal. In the final ball, Dahani was bowled, securing Zalmi’s long-awaited victory in PSL 9.
Zalmi’s Batting Display:
Batting first, Zalmi faced early setbacks as Saim Ayub departed for 7 runs in the fourth over. Haseebullah Khan provided the necessary spark with an aggressive inning of 37 off 18 deliveries. Rovman Powell (21 runs off 11 balls) and Paul Walter (16 runs off 8 balls) contributed to the total, but wickets fell at regular intervals.
Despite Mohammad Haris’ inability to accelerate, Zalmi concluded their innings at 179-8. David Willey, Mohammad Ali, and Usama Mir claimed two wickets each, while Shahnawaz Dahani and Abbas Afridi secured one each.
This thrilling encounter showcased the unpredictability of T20 cricket and added another chapter to the intense rivalry between Multan Sultans and Peshawar Zalmi in PSL 9. The win marks a significant turning point for Peshawar Zalmi as they celebrate their first triumph in the current season.
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