Islamabad United (196/4) defeat Peshawar Zalmi (167/9) by 29 runs in Match 20 of PSL 9

[The Bald Eagle]

In the Pakistan Super League's Match 20, Islamabad United faced off against Peshawar Zalmi in a highly anticipated reverse fixture between the two formidable teams. Their previous encounter saw Peshawar Zalmi emerging victorious over Islamabad United, although the latter put up a resilient fight. The match was highlighted by an extraordinary innings from Babar Azam, who showcased his mastery with a breathtaking century off just 63 deliveries. Alongside him, his opening partner Saim Ayub provided valuable support, adding 38 runs to the partnership. Babar's century wasn't merely a display of skill; it was a testament to his sheer brilliance and class as a batsman with his elegant strokes and impeccable timing. Due to Babar's heroics, Peshawar Zalmi managed to set a challenging target of 201 runs, courtesy of some crucial contributions from their middle-order batsmen.

During Islamabad United's chase, the match remained fiercely competitive, especially during the crucial middle overs. Zalmi's bowlers felt the pressure as Islamabad's batters launched a relentless assault, peppering the boundaries with confident strokes from all angles. However, Arif Yaqoob's impressive bowling turned the tide in Peshawar Zalmi's favor. Colin Munro's scintillating 71 kept Islamabad United in the hunt, but they faltered. Azam Khan's aggressive 75 off just 30 deliveries, including six mammoth sixes, injected momentum into the chase. However, their dismissals in quick succession stalled United's progress when they needed just 21 runs. Yaqoob's devastating spell in the penultimate over, claiming four wickets while conceding only a couple of runs, sealed Peshawar Zalmi's victory. Both teams' previous matches were marred by rain, forcing officials to abandon the games.

Consequently, both Islamabad United and Peshawar Zalmi were awarded one point each. Coming into this clash, Islamabad United will look forward to getting more contributions from the middle order and reducing the dependency on a couple of batters, whereas, Peshawar Zalmi would expect their bowlers to be more economical in this contest. A lot of match-ups and a lot of contests within contests to follow. Which side are you supporting?

So who will win the encounter tonight?

 

[Naveed34]

Match Info:

• Match: Islamabad United vs Peshawar Zalmi, 20th Match, Pakistan Super League, 2024
• Date: Monday, March 04, 2024
• Time: 7:00 PM
• Venue: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

Islamabad United Squad:

Shadab Khan (c), 2. Azam Khan (wk), 3. Colin Munro, 4. Alex Hales, 5. Agha Salman, 6. Imad Wasim, 7. Jordan Cox, 8. Faheem Ashraf, 9. Naseem Shah, 10. Hunain Shah, 11. Rumman Raees, 12. Tymal Mills, 13. Obed McCoy, 14. Haider Ali, 15. Qasim Akram, 16. Shamyl Hussain, 17. Ubaid Shah, 18. Shahab Khan, 19. Martin Guptill.

Peshawar Zalmi Squad:


Babar Azam (c) - 1, Mohammad Haris (wk) - 2, Saim Ayub - 3, Haseebullah Khan - 4, Paul Walter - 5, Rovman Powell - 6, Asif Ali - 7, Luke Wood - 8, Naveen-ul-Haq - 9, Arif Yaqoob - 10, Salman Irshad - 11, Umair Afridi - 12, Shamar Joseph - 13, Aimal Khan - 14, Aamer Jamal - 15, Mohammad Zeeshan - 16, Mehran Mumtaz - 17, Khurram Shahzad - 18, Dan Mousley - 19, Waqar Salamkheil - 20, Arshad Iqbal - 21, Tom Kohler-Cadmore.

Venue Guide:

Stadium: Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium
City: Rawalpindi
Capacity: 16000-18000
Hosts to: Pakistan, Rawalpindi

 

[The Bald Eagle]

It's a must win for Islamabad United but would be a cushion for Zalmi. Rooting for IU tonight.

 

[Rana]

What’s the weather forecast? Reports there was heavy rain last night or early hours Pakistan time

 

[FearlessRoar]

Islamabad United is playing with only 3 foreigners tonight.

 

[FearlessRoar]

PSL 9 20th match toss update:

Islamabad United v Peshawar Zalmi at Pindi Cricket Stadium, Rawalpindi

Peshawar Zalmi have won the toss and are fielding first

 

[FearlessRoar]

Both teams playing in home jersey

 

[Sunny_majoka]

What a ball from saim

 

[Sher Khan]

That first ball from Saim Ayub was magical swung away like Wasim Akram outswingers.

 

[PakEngFan]

That first ball from Saim Ayub was magical swung away like Wasim Akram outswingers.

I said a whole a ago he should also concentrate on his bowling. Can definitely bowl a few overs. Credit to Babar for giving him all the opportunity to shine.

 

[MenInG]

What a ball from saim

https://twitter.com/x/status/1764654866255749590

 

[Rana]

Bowling carrom ball is a serious skill

 

[Rana]

IU need 220 here at least

 

[Sher Khan]

I like Arif Yaqoob. He is turning it miles today even though his figures look bad.

Looks like a more skilled leg spinner than Shadab.

 

[ExpressPacer]

I like Arif Yaqoob. He is turning it miles today even though his figures look bad.

Looks like a more skilled leg spinner than Shadab.

Terrible fielder and his fitness looks like he's in his mid-40s.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

I like Arif Yaqoob. He is turning it miles today even though his figures look bad.

Looks like a more skilled leg spinner than Shadab.

But unfortunately still won't get a crack in the National team.

 

[Rana]

Don’t understand why Shadab always ask the umpire if one bouncer for the over is bowled every time a short ball is faced by him

Just play the ball! Let the umpires do their job!

 

[FearlessRoar]

A great catch by Saim Ayub to dismiss Shadab Khan

 

[Asad T]

wow what a 6 from Azam, almost sachin like

 

[Asad T]

Don’t understand why Shadab always ask the umpire if one bouncer for the over is bowled every time a short ball is faced by him

Just play the ball! Let the umpires do their job!

maybe just to get under the bowlers skin

 

[Asad T]

Terrible fielder and his fitness looks like he's in his mid-40s.

offically he is 29...not suspect at all haha

 

[Asad T]

A great catch by Saim Ayub to dismiss Shadab Khan

View attachment 142522

After that drop at first slip against australia, ayub has really shown his prowess as a really good catcher

 

[Asad T]

IU need 220 here at least

scared that babar can chase 219?

 

[Rana]

Rubbish innings by Jordan cox

PZ should chase this

 

[Rana]

maybe just to get under the bowlers skin

He will get under the umpire’s skin

They don’t tell him how to bat, he shouldn’t constantly question every decision of their’s either

 

[Rana]

scared that babar can chase 219?

Not Babar but the other players are capable

This is a cakewalk score really. There is a bit of spin so let’s see

 

[Rana]

Target for IU should be to let Babar score a 35-40 ball 50

The run rate will naturally creep up. They need to remove the other players asap

 

[Rana]

IU were chasing the game throughout after that first over by Saim

This has been the case a few times now. Saim gives a decent/good first over and then the opposition is playing catch up throughout

 

[Rana]

Azam needed more time out there

What was Jordan Cox doing not showing any intent first 5-6 balls?

 

[Asad T]

He will get under the umpire’s skin

They don’t tell him how to bat, he shouldn’t constantly question every decision of their’s either

To be fair, pakistani umpires (except 1 or 2 of them) deserve to be questioned

 

[Rana]

Imad has to be on the spot with his first over

He can prize out Saim

 

[Asad T]

IU were chasing the game throughout after that first over by Saim

This has been the case a few times now. Saim gives a decent/good first over and then the opposition is playing catch up throughout

yeah, let's see if Saim will start well with the bat now
not a fan of babar's captaincy, but was smart to start off with ayub

 

[Rana]

To be fair, pakistani umpires (except 1 or 2 of them) deserve to be questioned

But not by guys like Shadab who are basically tailenders

Babar Azam allowed a tailender to score 81 off 50

 

[Asad T]

Imad has to be on the spot with his first over

He can prize out Saim

yeah, he will have to come around the wicket and drift it across him
i'm looking foward to imad vs babar
so much pent up frustration there

 

[Asad T]

Azam needed more time out there

What was Jordan Cox doing not showing any intent first 5-6 balls?

agreed, azam should maybe come ahead of cox next time

 

[Asad T]

But not by guys like Shadab who are basically tailenders

Babar Azam allowed a tailender to score 81 off 50

to be fair to shadab, he has been batting well this psl. 2 big scores and a couple of not outs

 

[Rana]

to be fair to shadab, he has been batting well this psl. 2 big scores and a couple of not outs

This is a very alarming statistic which devalues the standard of this tournament

It means anyone can score runs in the PSL, which is clear to see when these guys are nowhere in international cricket against the best sides

 

[Asad T]

This is a very alarming statistic which devalues the standard of this tournament

It means anyone can score runs in the PSL, which is clear to see when these guys are nowhere in international cricket against the best sides

Anyone can score in the psl....except our test captain

 

[Asad T]

Naseem 143 with swing and bounce. good start for him

 

[Asad T]

The noise for Babar is wild

 

[oatmeal]

Babar out for a duck. Pointless risk

 

[Ali T]

Fun battle this - Naseem vs Saim and Babar.

 

[Rana]

Chal jee Bobsy out

Advantage PZ

 

[Asad T]

Ufff, poor running from Babar, should have pulled the dive out
and my fantasy captain gets out for zero

 

[Rana]

Alex Hales needs to be checked for any substances after this match

The plan was to not remove Babar!!!

 

[oatmeal]

Good bowling by Naseem. Two back to back great deliveries

 

[AAli98]

This useless Ayub guy was out 3 times in that over Haris won’t last long either !

 

[Rana]

Big chance now for IU

Big wicket

Need TKC and Powell too

 

[Ahmed216]

Wow Naseem swinging it big. We know he can hit the seam as well

 

[Ali T]

Chal jee Bobsy out

Advantage PZ

Thoughts on Naseem ?

 

[Deewana Mastana]

What a solid over by Naseem

 

[Ahmed216]

Big wicket for IU so early. Babar is in red hot form

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Good over by Rumman as well

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Big wicket for IU so early. Babar is in red hot form

He basically threw it away was never a run there

 

[Ahmed216]

I'll say it again. Naseem needs to shift his line 6 inches towards stumps against rightys

 

[160KPH]

It is gonna be so good to have Naseem Shah back in the international side

 

[Ahmed216]

I'll say it again. Naseem needs to shift his line 6 inches towards stumps against rightys

Much better 3rd and 4th ball

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Naseem Shah, Ihsanullah, Mohammad Ali, Mir Hamza, Khurram Shahzad. My picks for the T20 WC 2024.To include Haris, SSA etc would be just criminal.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Haris gone too lol

Lovely Islamabad

 

[Rana]

194 to win in 17 overs

Evened out now at Pindi

 

[Ali T]

It is gonna be so good to have Naseem Shah back in the international side

Agreed.
He was the missing link in the last world cup.
Hopefully will make a big difference in the US.

 

[The Bald Eagle]

Maiden from Naseem.

 

[Rana]

Thoughts on Naseem ?

Really nice

Finally showing why IU went gung ho for him Pre-draft

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Naseem Shah, Ihsanullah, Mohammad Ali, Mir Hamza, Khurram Shahzad. My picks for the T20 WC 2024.To include Haris, SSA etc would be just criminal.

There's no way they'll drop or rest Shaheen.

Hamza, Shahzad aren't getting picked though lol

 

[Ali T]

Harris out.
Great catch by Imaad.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Good size crowd in too

 

[Rana]

Game never over as long as TKC and Powell are there

 

[160KPH]

Agreed.
He was the missing link in the last world cup.
Hopefully will make a big difference in the US.

Naseem and Shaheen compliment each other very well too

 

[The Bald Eagle]

A

There's no way they'll drop or rest Shaheen.

Hamza, Shahzad aren't getting picked though lol

Atleast Shahzad needs to be in the team or otherwise I would consider it dosti yaari 2.0

 

[Asad T]

loll 4th over and rr under 1

 

[160KPH]

194 to win in 17 overs

Evened out now at Pindi

Evened out? Islamabad has destroyed them and is gonna win this easily now

 

[Asad T]

Do you think they move that same car around for every game haha

 

[Ahmed216]

Haris has got so much potential but always tries to be a little too cheeky

 

[Deewana Mastana]

A

Atleast Shahzad needs to be in the team or otherwise I would consider it dosti yaari 2.0

He's not even being played by Peshawar in the PSL so far and yet you're asking for his inclusion on the WC plane.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Haris has got so much potential but always tries to be a little too cheeky

Especially when there's fielders placed there for those shots yet he carries on getting out in the same way.

 

[FearlessRoar]

Mohammad Haris falls, marking Peshawar Zalmi's third wicket loss within the powerplay. It's not working for Haris in PSL 9. Wahab must be happy that i was right to drop him for NZ tour.

 

[Asad T]

Evened out? Islamabad has destroyed them and is gonna win this easily now

Wait till faheem bowls

 

[The Bald Eagle]

A good football match going on at the moment

 

[The Bald Eagle]

He's not even being played by Peshawar in the PSL so far and yet you're asking for his inclusion on the WC plane.

I have seen his performance in series against Australia. Was just awesome there.

 

[Deewana Mastana]

Faheem giving away all the advantage Islamabad had in the first 4 overs.

Poor captaincy by Shadab should've kept Naseem on for another over when he did so well.