PSL Qualifiers: Zalmi qualify for PSL final as Babar Azam standout in crushing United

KARACHI: In-form Babar Azam powered Peshawar Zalmi into the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 11 final with a brilliant century (12 boundaries and 2 sixes) against Islamabad United in the Qualifier at the National Stadium on Tuesday.

Islamabad United (IU) were set to chase a 222-run target in the key PSL clash against Peshawar Zalmi, as Babar Azam delivered a standout performance, smashing a brilliant 103 off just 57 balls.

However, the United couldn’t reach the total, all were crushed at 151 in the 18.4 overs, giving the Zalmi side a 70-run victory.

Chasing the 222-run target of the Zalmi, United got off to a strong start in the chase, as openers Devon Conway (20) and Sameer Minhas added 58 runs for the first wicket. Conway was dismissed on the last ball of the fifth over.

The 2024-champions featured Minhas then built a brief 23-run stand with Mohsin Riaz before falling to Aaron Hardie in the ninth over. The right-hander remained United’s top scorer with a quick 44 off 23 balls, including seven fours and a six.

Mohsin Riaz, who scored 25 off 20 balls, tried to stabilise the innings alongside captain Shadab Khan, but their partnership was cut short when Hardie trapped Shadab lbw. Mohsin was dismissed in the next over by Sufiyan Muqeem, leaving United at 100-4.

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After that, Islamabad United suffered a major collapse, losing four wickets in just 23 balls and slipping to 126-8 in 15.1 overs.

Imad Wasim attempted a late fightback with a quick 22 off 15 deliveries, but his effort was not enough as Mohammad Basit dismissed him in the penultimate over. Basit struck again in the same over to remove Salman Mirza, sealing a dominant win for Peshawar Zalmi.

Aaron Hardie led Zalmi’s bowling attack with impressive figures of 3-24 in four overs. Sufiyan Muqeem and Mohammad Basit picked up two wickets each, while Michael Bracewell and Khurram Shahzad took one apiece.

With this the United were all out and the Zalmi team nailed their entry into the PSL final that’s to be played in Lahore. United however have still have one chance, to be playing quarter final against the winners of the Hyderabad Kingsmen and Multan Sultans as they are the next to face off in the row.

Peshawar Zalmi had a strong start to their innings as opening pair Azam and Mohammad Haris put together 72 runs. Haris played an aggressive knock of 35 off just 16 balls, hitting 5 fours and 2 sixes before being dismissed by Shadab Khan in the 7th over.

After that, Babar Azam was joined by Kusal Mendis, and both batters kept the momentum going with an 84-run partnership for the second wicket. Mendis scored a solid 41 off 26 balls before Faheem Ashraf broke the stand in the 15th over.

Zalmi then lost quick wickets in the very next over as Shadab Khan struck twice, removing Michael Bracewell and Abdul Samad cheaply, which brought Zalmi to 164-4.

However, Babar Azam stayed firm at one end and continued scoring freely. He reached his century in the 18th over and played a brilliant knock of 103 runs before getting out in the penultimate over.

In the final overs, Aaron Hardie added quick 20 runs to push the total forward, while Richard Gleeson and Shadab Khan took key wickets for Islamabad United towards the end.

For Islamabad United, Shadab Khan was the best bowler with 3 wickets for 42 runs. Richard Gleeson took 2 wickets, while Faheem Ashraf and Salman Mirza got 1 wicket each.

Overall, Zalmi finished with a strong total, setting a challenging target for Islamabad United.

United decided to field first after winning the toss against Peshawar Zalmi in the PSL 11 Qualifier at Karachi’s National Bank Stadium on Tuesday.

More to follow

Both teams have been evenly matched, facing each other 27 times in PSL history. Each side has secured 13 wins, while one match ended without a result, adding further intensity to tonight’s encounter.

Peshawar Zalmi

Skipper Babar Azam, Sufiyan Muqeem, Abdul Samad, Aaron Hardie, Khurram Shahzad, Mohammad Haris, Michael Bracewell, Kusal Mendis, Iftikhar Ahmed, Farhan Yousuf, Mohammad Basit

Islamabad United

Skipper Shadab Khan, Devon Conway, Faheem Ashraf, Mark Chapman, Sameer Minhas, Imad Wasim, Richard Gleeson, Haider Ali, Mohammad Hasnain, Mohsin Riaz, Chris Green and Mohammad Salman Mirza.