PSL: Peshawar down Islamabad to go top

SHARJAH:

Tamim Iqbal scored his third half-century of Pakistan Super League (PSL) as his 80 guided Peshawar Zalmi to a table-topping seven-wicket victory over Islamabad United in Sharjah, UAE, on Friday.

Having won the toss, Peshawar skipper Shahid Afridi put Islamabad into bat first.

Islamabad got off to a steady start before losing Shane Watson for 19. But Khalid Lateef then scored a half-century while captain Misbahul Haq scored 32 as they helped the team rebuild after a stuttering start. But once Misbah was dismissed, the team could not accelerate and finished at 152 for six.

For Peshawar Mohammad Asghar and Wahab Riaz picked up two wickets each.

Peshawar got off to a good start but lost Mohammad Hafeez, 25, in the fifth over with the score on 36. Tamim Iqbal then smashed a 58-ball 80, ably supported by Shahid Yousuf who scored 27 off 19 balls, to chase the total in 18.3 overs and with seven wickets to spare.

Sami, Ajmal and Badree picked up one wicket each as Islamabad’s bowlers failed to contain the explosive Iqbal.

The win sees Peshawar top the table above Quetta on run rate.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 13^th,  2016.