'Maaz batted brilliantly under pressure'

Peshawar Zalmi captain Babar Azam on Friday, spoke highly of 19-year-old debutant Maaz Sadaqat for his match-winning performance in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 match against defending champions Islamabad United.

Sadaqat, in his debut PSL match, made an immediate impact by scoring a dazzling 55 runs off just 33 balls, including four boundaries and three sixes.

His composed and aggressive knock helped Zalmi recover from an early collapse and eventually sealing a six-wicket victory.

The 19-year-old formed a vital 102-run stand with Babar Azam for the fourth wicket, steering the team to a six-wicket victory at Lahore's Gaddafi Stadium.

For his outstanding knock under pressure, Maaz was rightfully named the Player of the Match.

Speaking during the post-match presentation on Friday, Babar praised the young batter's temperament and skills, crediting the middle-order batter for the victory.

"Maaz batted brilliantly under pressure. His confidence at the crease gave me belief as well. The credit for this win goes to him," Babar said.

Babar acknowledged Maaz's attacking approach at the start of the innings as crucial, terming his maturity impressive.

"He played fearlessly from the beginning and took the pressure off. His maturity is impressive for someone so young," Babar praised.

Babar Azam also credited Maaz Sadaqat for playing a key role in his own half-century.

"Initially, I could not find my rhythm, but Maaz's positive intent helped me settle. His support boosted my confidence," he noted.

Commenting on Zalmi's revamped batting lineup, Babar said, "We are trying new combinations and adjusting the batting order. Against Islamabad, it clicked well."

Looking ahead, Babar emphasised the importance of building on this momentum.

"Winning gives confidence. We will focus on correcting our mistakes and take every game with a fresh mindset. The goal is to stay consistent and qualify for the next stage," he concluded.

Maaz Sadaqat shines as Zalmi crush United

Peshawar Zalmi handed Islamabad United their second defeat of the ongoing Pakistan Super League (PSL) 10 with a convincing six-wicket win at Gaddafi Stadium, thanks to stellar performances from Maaz Sadaqat and skipper Babar Azam.

Chasing a modest target of 144, Zalmi got off to an explosive start when Mitchell Owen launched a straight six off the very first ball of Kyle Mayers' spell.

However, Mayers struck back immediately, dismissing Owen on the next delivery and bringing captain Babar Azam to the crease alongside Saim Ayub.

Ben Dwarshuis struck in the following over, removing Saim Ayub for just one, leaving Zalmi in early trouble at 12-2 after 1.2 overs.

Babar Azam and Mohammad Haris then added 26 runs for the third wicket before Haris was dismissed by Riley Meredith for 13 off 12 balls.

Zalmi found stability as Babar and debutant Maaz Sadaqat stitched together a crucial 50-run stand for the fourth wicket, taking the team to 93-3 by the end of the 12th over.

Maaz played a sensational knock in his first PSL outing, reaching a well-earned half-century and accelerating the chase alongside his captain.

Babar Azam also brought up his 35th PSL fifty in style, maintaining a solid anchor role throughout the innings.

With just four runs needed to win, Naseem Shah returned to the attack and broke the 100-run partnership by dismissing Maaz for a brilliant 55 off 33 balls.

However, Zalmi completed the chase in the 17th over, with Babar finishing unbeaten on 53 off 49 deliveries, and Max Bryant hitting the winning runs.

Earlier, after opting to bat first, Islamabad United started strongly with openers Sahibzada Farhan and Kyle Mayers building a 50-run partnership, taking an aggressive approach against Zalmi's bowlers.

The breakthrough came in the ninth over when pacer Ahmed Daniyal removed Farhan for 36 off 35 balls. In the next over, Mohammad Ali dismissed Mayers for 18 off 18 deliveries, triggering a middle-order collapse.

The slide continued as Luke Wood sent Azam Khan back for 8 off 7, reducing Islamabad to 107-7 in 16.1 overs.

Imad Wasim and Ben Dwarshuis tried to revive the innings, but a sharp direct hit from Babar Azam ran out Imad for 10, pushing United further down to 124-8 in the 18th over.