Islamabad United thrash Peshawar Zalmi by massive margin

RAWALPINDI: In the fifth match of the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10, Islamabad United defeated Peshawar Zalmi by a massive margin of 102 runs.

Played at the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, Peshawar Zalmi failed to chase Islamabad’s mammoth target of 244 and were bowled out for just 141.

Peshawar Zalmi skipper Babar Azam once again failed to deliver a big innings and was dismissed cheaply. The rest of the Zalmi batting lineup also crumbled under pressure, unable to withstand Islamabad’s bowling attack.

Mohammad Haris offered some resistance, scoring a brilliant 87 before being dismissed. For Islamabad, Imad Wasim took three wickets while Shadab Khan claimed two.

Earlier, Islamabad United won the toss and opted to bat first against Peshawar Zalmi.

Despite losing an early wicket, a rapid 144-run partnership between Sahibzada Farhan and Colin Munro laid the foundation for a big total.

Sahibzada Farhan scored his maiden PSL century, smashing 106 off 52 balls, including five sixes and 13 fours. Colin Munro contributed 40, Azam Khan scored 16, and Salman Ali Agha chipped in with 30. Jason Holder remained unbeaten on 20, while Ben Dwarshuis finished not out on 18.

From the Zalmi side, Hussain Talat and Alzarri Joseph took two wickets each.

Both teams made changes to their playing XIs. Peshawar Zalmi brought in George Linde in place of Max Bryant, while Islamabad United included Saad Masood and Ben Dwarshuis in place of Mohammad Shehzad and Riley Meredith.

Islamabad United’s lineup featured captain Shadab Khan, Colin Munro, Andrease Gous, Sahibzada Farhan, Salman Ali Agha, Azam Khan, Jason Holder, Imad Wasim, Saad Masood, Naseem Shah, and Ben Dwarshuis.

Peshawar Zalmi, captained by Babar Azam, included Saim Ayub, Mohammad Haris, Tom Kohler-Cadmore, Mitchell Owen, Hussain Talat, George Linde, Alzarri Joseph, Mohammad Ali, Sufiyan Muqeem, and Ali Raza.