Zalmi win by 7 runs on D/L method against United

Shadab Khan was the most frustrated man left on the field when rain returned to stop the match between Peshawar Zalmi and Islamabad United at Pindi Stadium Saturday.

Zalmi were 7 runs ahead on D/L method when umpires called in covers after nine overs of the second innigs. Zalmi were at 85-2 after nine overs while chasing 196 runs target.

Kamran Akmal made 37 off 21 balls hitting four boundaries and a six before being caught by Faheem Ashraf while going for another big one against Zafar Gohar. Imam-ul-Haq again failed miserably while scoring 7 runs off 9 balls. He was caught by Gohar off the bowling of Rumman Raees.

The hopes raised for United to get a fight for win when players gathered again in the middle and target was reduced to 21 runs off 12 balls as match was reduced to 11 overs. But the drizzle started again and all hopes of Islamabad United swept away along it and Zalmi declared winners. 

However, Tom Banon and Haider Ali went all cylinders to ensure Zalmi stay ahead. Especially, youngster Haider, who has proved himself only standout player this season among emerging players, played superbly to score 16 off 8 balls hitting a six and four. Banon wan unbeaten on 20 off 16 balls.

Shadab, who remained lethal with bat this season, once again starred for United after Zalmi invited them to bat first after a delayed toss due to wet-outfield.

Shadab top scored with 77 runs off 42 balls to help his team to set up a mammoth total of 195- 5 in 20 overs. He added 67 runs for third wicket with Colin Munro and 76 runs for fourth wicket with Colin Ingram.

Munro scored a blistering 52 off 35 balls. He hit two sixes and four boundaries before he was caught by Liam Livingstone on the bowling off Carlos Brathwaite. Ingram’s stormy 41 off just 25 deliveries consisted one four and two sixes before he became victim of Hasan Ali as Livingstone held another beautiful catch.

Interestingly, Shadab was also caught by Livingstone on a Wahab Riaz delivery but not before doing the major damage with the bat. He struck four

Bowler Rahat Ali of Peshawar Zalmi got wicket of opener and star cricketer L Ronchi who scored only 6 runs.

For Zalmi, Hassan got two wickets conceding 36 runs, Rahat Ali, Wahab Riaz and Carlos Brathwaite got one wicket each conceding 41, 37 and 22 runs respectively.