Babar and Maaz power Zalmi to impressive win over United
LAHORE: Peshawar Zalmi handed Islamabad United their second loss of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10, sealing a comfortable six-wicket victory at Gaddafi Stadium, led by standout performances from Maaz Sadaqat and skipper Babar Azam.
Chasing a modest 144, Zalmi began aggressively as Mitchell Owen smashed a straight six off Kyle Mayers’ first ball. However, Mayers struck back immediately, dismissing Owen on the next delivery, bringing captain Babar Azam to join Saim Ayub at the crease.
Ben Dwarshuis struck early too, sending Saim back for just 1, leaving Zalmi at 12-2 after 1.2 overs.
Babar and Mohammad Haris steadied the innings, adding 26 runs for the third wicket before Haris fell to Riley Meredith for 13 off 12 balls.
The innings regained momentum as Babar and debutant Maaz Sadaqat put together a vital 50-run partnership, guiding Zalmi to 93-3 by the end of the 12th over.
Maaz impressed in his first PSL game, notching up a fine half-century and pushing the chase forward alongside his captain. Babar played the anchor role perfectly, bringing up his 35th PSL fifty to keep Zalmi on track.
Naseem Shah returned to break their 100-run stand, dismissing Maaz for an excellent 55 off 33 balls with just four runs needed. But Zalmi cruised home in the 17th over, with Babar unbeaten on 53 off 49 balls and Max Bryant hitting the winning runs.
Earlier, Islamabad United, opting to bat first, started well with openers Sahibzada Farhan and Kyle Mayers adding 50 runs for the first wicket, attacking Zalmi’s bowlers with intent.
The breakthrough came in the ninth over as Ahmed Daniyal dismissed Farhan for 36 off 35 balls, followed by Mohammad Ali removing Mayers for 18 in the next over, sparking a middle-order collapse.
Luke Wood removed Azam Khan for 8 off 7, and Islamabad stumbled to 107-7 by the 16th over. A sharp run-out by Babar Azam ended Imad Wasim’s stay for 10, as United slipped further to 124-8.
Zalmi’s tight bowling and sharp fielding restricted United to 134-9, with Dwarshuis unbeaten on 33 off 17 at the close, while Naseem Shah fell for 1 on the final ball.
