Babar Azam helps Peshawar Zalmi Clinch Thrilling Victory Over Multan Sultans

In a nail-biting encounter at Pindi Cricket Stadium, Peshawar Zalmi emerged victorious against Multan Sultans by a slender margin of four runs. Despite Iftikhar Ahmed’s valiant unbeaten half-century, Multan Sultans fell agonizingly short of the 205-run target set by Peshawar Zalmi.

Match Summary:

Opting to bat first after winning the toss, Peshawar Zalmi got off to a blazing start, courtesy of a brilliant 84-run opening partnership between Saim Ayub and Babar Azam. The duo took on the Multan Sultans’ bowlers, accumulating 71 runs in the powerplay, the highest powerplay score of PSL 9 so far. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, contributions from Haseebullah, Rovman Powell, and Aamir Jamal helped Peshawar Zalmi post a formidable total of 204/5 in their allotted 20 overs.

In response, Multan Sultans got off to a solid start, with Mohammad Rizwan leading the charge at the top of the order. However, a flurry of wickets in the middle overs put them under pressure. Iftikhar Ahmed’s heroics, along with valuable contributions from Chris Jordan and others, brought them tantalizingly close to victory. However, they ultimately fell short by just four runs, finishing on 200/5 at the end of 20 overs.

Key Performances:

• Babar Azam (Peshawar Zalmi): Babar Azam played a scintillating knock, scoring 64 runs off 40 balls, including seven fours and two sixes. His innings provided a solid foundation for Peshawar Zalmi’s imposing total.
• Iftikhar Ahmed (Multan Sultans): Iftikhar Ahmed was the standout performer for Multan Sultans, playing a breathtaking unbeaten knock of 60 runs off just 27 balls. His aggressive batting kept Multan Sultans in the hunt till the very end.
• Usama Mir (Peshawar Zalmi): Usama Mir was the pick of the bowlers for Peshawar Zalmi, claiming three crucial wickets for 32 runs in his four overs. His timely breakthroughs halted Multan Sultans’ momentum at crucial junctures.

Turning Point:

• The crucial phase of the match came in the final overs of the Multan Sultans’ innings when they needed 21 runs off the last over to win. Despite Iftikhar Ahmed’s heroics, Peshawar Zalmi held their nerve and managed to defend the target by restricting Multan Sultans to just 16 runs in the final over.

Impactful Bowling:

• Aamir Jamal (Peshawar Zalmi): Aamir Jamal put in a disciplined bowling performance, picking up two crucial wickets for 36 runs in his four overs. His tight lines and lengths helped Peshawar Zalmi maintain pressure on the Multan Sultans’ batsmen.

Conclusion:

Peshawar Zalmi’s thrilling victory over Multan Sultans showcased the team’s resilience and ability to perform under pressure. Despite a spirited fightback from Multan Sultans, Peshawar Zalmi held their nerve in the closing stages of the match to secure a crucial win in PSL 9.

Player of the Match:

Babar Azam’s match-winning innings earned him the well-deserved Player of the Match award for his crucial contribution to Peshawar Zalmi’s victory.

Next Fixture:

The action continues with Quetta Gladiators taking on Karachi Kings in the upcoming fixture at Pindi Cricket Stadium. Cricket enthusiasts can expect another exciting clash between two competitive teams vying for victory in PSL 9.