PHOTO: FILE
Things did not change much as United kept Zalmi under immense pressure with some tight bowling. With a little over five overs remaining, Afridi stepped on to the crease and opened his account with a boundary. However a few shots later he was caught and bowled by Andre Russell in the 19th over, after scoring 16 runs. Tamim followed soon after on the very next delivery after a well-made 51 from 51 balls. Peshawar Zalmi finished their innings with 145/ 7 on the board, the most by any team batting first so far in this competition.
Shaun Tait opened the bowling for Zalmi and it was an action-packed first over. He was pulled away for consecutive boundaries by Sharjeel Khan, and responded with a beauty to rattle the stumps on the very next ball. Fans were finally treated to the much awaited face-off between Wahab and Watson, with the former coming out on top this time as Hafeez grabbed an easy catch fielding at backward point. Misbah departed after scoring only 12 runs, much to United’s dismay, and Peshawar Zalmi continued to keep things tight.
Islamabad United required 56 to win from the last five overs, which seemed probable with Sam Billings and Andre Russell on the pitch. However, Russell and Billings were both caught on the off side boundary in similar fashion on successive deliveries by Wahab Riaz, ending all hopes of a miraculous comeback. It was smooth sailing for Peshawar from then on, and they managed to seal a comfortable win as United could only manage 121/9 in their 20 overs.
Published in The Express Tribune, February 6th, 2016.
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