Haider Ali’s flashy and undefeated 29-ball 52 and Imad Wasim’s defiant and unconquered 40-ball 59 propelled Islamabad United to the final of the ninth season of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) in Karachi on Saturday.
ISLAMABAD UNITED’S INNINGS
Chasing a goal of 186, the United completed the equation by scoring 189-5 with six balls left. Imad Wasim hit a beautiful shot to sweep past the Zalmi by five wickets.
Imad Wasim smashed nine boundaries in his incredible innings. Haider Ali scored two boundaries and five soaring sixes.
Martin Guptill hammered 35 off 21 balls, including five boundaries and one six, before being dismissed by Khurram Shahzad.
Other batsmen, Alex Hales (1), Agha Salman (5), and Shadab Khan (0), could not provide any resistance with the bat.
Azam Khan looked impressive with his 17-ball 22 before getting stumped by Luke Wood.
For the Zalmi, Saim Ayub (2-34) took two wickets.
Luke Wood (1-38), Mehran Mumtaz (1-31) and Khurram Shahzad (1-22) each grabbed one scalp.
Aamer Jamal (0-41) and Arif Yaqoob (0-19) went wicketless.
The United will face the Multan Sultans on Monday (March 18). After 2018, United will compete in the final of the domestic premier tournament.
PESHAWAR ZALMI’S INNINGS:
Saim Ayub’s blazing 44-ball 73 and Mohammad Haris’ cautious 25-ball 40 propelled Peshawar Zalmi to 185-5 against United.
After being tested, the Zalmi got off to a fast start, due to the scorching partnership of Babar Azam and Saim Ayub.
Babar Azam scored two boundaries and a six in his 22-ball 25.
Saim Ayub and Mohammad Haris combined to salvage Zalmi’s innings. Saim scored six boundaries and four sixes before being defeated by Shadab Khan.
Mohammad Haris was looking spectacular until being stumped by Naseem Shah on a 25-ball 40. He scored three boundaries and two sixes.
