Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi in thriller

Aamir Jamal’s blitz in vain as Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi by 29-run in the 20th match of Pakistan Super League (PSL) season nine at the Rawalpindi  Cricket Stadium on Monday, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.   

Islamabad United restricted Peshawar Zalmi  to 167/9 after posting 196/4. 

Peshawar faced challenges in the chase from the start, losing Babar on a golden duck due to Alex Hales' run-out in the first over bowled by Naseem Shah.

Naseem dismissed Saim Ayub on the last ball of the over, and Rumman Raees claimed Mohammad Haris, leaving Peshawar at 3-3.

In the last over of the Power Play, Shadab Khan introduced Naseem's brother, Hunain Shah, who took two wickets—Tom Kohler-Cadmore and Rovman Powell.

Aamer Jamal and Paul Walter revived Zalmi's hopes, putting up a strong sixth-wicket partnership in the run chase.

Aamer Jamal impressed the Rawalpindi crowd with a remarkable 49-ball 87, including six sixes and eight fours. Walter supported with a 29-ball 30.

Shadab Khan was the standout bowler for Islamabad with figures of 3/41, while Raees and Hunain each claimed two wickets.

Earlier, Shadab Khan’s brilliant batting powered Islamabad United to set a 197-run target for Peshawar Zalmi.

Being put on batting first, Islamabad United posted 196/4 with the help of its skipper Shadab Khan's brilliant 80 runs including six sixes and four fours.

Agha Salman who scored 37 runs also provided a platform for the other partners to attack the opponent bowling. Agha went to the pavilion after a gutsy 37 off 25, which featured four boundaries and two sixes. 

Saim Ayub maded history while bowled Alex Hales on the first ball of the innings. 

Colin Munro hit Ayub for a six and a four in the next over, but the bowler had the last laugh as he dismissed the batter while attempting for another boundary.

With Islamabad United stranded at 28-2 in three overs, skipper Shadab Khan and Salman Ali Agha joined hands to help the team recover.

They knitted a 65-run partnership for the third wicket in 44 balls to push the team’s total to 90 in 10 overs.

However, Salman Irshad got Agha caught behind in the 11th over to break the partnership and force a comeback for the visitors.

Khan was joined by Jordan Cox for another brilliant partnership which accumulated 68 runs in 39 balls, dominated by the captain.

Khan played a blistering innings and hit 10 boundaries including six sixes on his way to a 51-ball 80 before Luke Wood got the prized wicket with 161 runs on the board.