Peshawar survive Iftikhar scare to score narrow four-run victory against Multan

Staff Report

 RAWALPINDI: Defending a 205-run target after a thrilling play, the Babar Azam-led Peshawar Zalmi defeated table-toppers Mohammad Rizwan-led Multan Sultans by four runs, clinching their second victory over the latter in the Pakistan Super League (PSL) ninth edition here on Tuesday. Peshawar managed to restrict Sultans to 200-5 while defending 205 in the 20th match of the season at the Pindi Cricket Stadium. Multan started the chase aggressively with Mohammad Rizwan taking the charge from ball one. But Peshawar managed to pull things on the back of some economic overs bowled by PSL debutant Mehran Mumtaz.  His first wicket was Reeza Hendricks, who struggled during his time at the crease, managing only 5 runs in 10 balls. Meanwhile, Rizwan played a crucial role for the team, contributing 32 runs in 24 balls at a strike rate of 133.33 but he was run out by Aamer Jamal. Multan’s chase slowed down in the middle while Dawid Malan and Tayyab Tahir were in the middle. Malan made a modest contribution, scoring 19 runs off 19 balls before being caught by Asif Ali, who took a stunning catch. Tayyab Tahir made 26 runs in just 18 balls.

Iftikhar Ahmed put energy to the chase with some blistering hitting with the help of Chris Jordan. He remained unbeaten, accumulating an impressive 60 runs off 27 balls, showcasing a phenomenal strike rate of 222.22. Jordan scored a quick 30 runs in 12 balls at a remarkable strike rate of 250.00 but they fell only four runs short.

Earlier, Babar’s choice to bat first proved advantageous for Peshawar, as they amassed 204 for the loss of 5 scalps in the allocated 20 overs against playoffs-bound Multan. Peshawar’s opening duo, Babar and Saim Ayub, once again provided a solid start with an impressive partnership, accumulating 84 runs before Saim was dismissed in the seventh over by Usama Mir. Saim fell just short of his half-century, scoring 46 off 22 deliveries with three boundaries and five sixes. Tom Kohler Cadmore briefly partnered with Babar, contributing to a cautious 13-run stand before falling victim to Usama in the 10th over, managing just five off nine deliveries. Babar stood firm, carrying his bat until the 15th over, scoring a brilliant half-century before being dismissed by Usama. Babar emerged as the top-scorer for Peshawar, making a 40-ball 64 with seven boundaries and two sixes. Babar also played a vital role in a 51-run partnership for the third wicket with wicketkeeper-batter Haseebullah Khan, who briskly made 31, featuring three boundaries and a six. After Haseebullah’s dismissal in the 17th over, Rovman Powell took charge of Zalmi’s batting, contributing an unbeaten 23-run cameo with notable support from Asif Ali (10) and Aamer Jamal, who scored 12 not out off just five deliveries. Usama led the bowling attack for Multan with figures of 3-32, followed by Chris Jordan, who secured two wickets. It’s worth noting that 2021 champions Multan secured their place in the PSL-9 playoffs with a victory over Karachi Kings on Sunday.

SCOREBOARD

PESHAWAR ZALMI INNINGS

Saim Ayub lbw b Usama          46

Babar Azam b Usama     64

Tom Kohler-Cadmore c Tayyab b Usama     5

Haseebullah Khan b Jordan      31

Rovman Powell not out  23

Asif Ali c sub (Yasir) b Jordan 11

Aamer Jamal not out       12

Did not bat: Luke Wood, Naveen-ul-Haq, Mehran Mumtaz, Salman Irshad

EXTRAS (LB 2, NB 1, W 9)    12

TOTAL (20 overs)         204-5

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-84 (Saim Ayub, 6.6 ov), 2-97 (Tom Kohler-Cadmore, 9.3 ov), 3-148 (Babar Azam, 14.2 ov), 4-166 (Haseebullah Khan, 16.3 ov), 5-186 (Asif Ali, 18.4 ov)

BOWLING

Mohammad Ali     3-0-46-0

David Willey        4-0-36-0

Iftikhar Ahmed     1-0-12-0

Khushdil Shah      1-0-13-0

Chris Jordan 4-0-33-2

Usama Mir  4-0-32-3

Aftab Ibrahim       3-0-30-0

MULTAN SULTANS INNINGS

Mohammad Rizwan run out     32

Reeza Hendricks c & b Mehran          5

Dawid Malan c Asif b Aamer    19

Tayyab Tahir c Saim b Aamer   26

Khushdil Shah c Haseebullah b Naveen        11

Iftikhar Ahmed not out   60

Chris Jordan not out       30

Did not bat: David Willey, Usama Mir, Aftab Ibrahim, Mohammad Ali

EXTRAS (B 4, LB 4, W 9)      17

TOTAL (20 overs)         200-5

FALL OF WICKETS: 1-35 (Reeza Hendricks, 4.4 ov), 2-51 (Mohammad Rizwan, 7.1 ov), 3-86 (Dawid Malan, 11.2 ov), 4-91 (Tayyab Tahir, 11.6 ov), 5-125 (Khushdil Shah, 15.2 ov)

BOWLING

Saim Ayub  1-0-14-0

Luke Wood 4-0-44-0

Mehran Mumtaz   4-0-20-1

Naveen-ul-Haq     4-0-32-1

Aamer Jamal        4-0-36-2

Salman Irshad       3-0-46-0

Umpires: Alex Wharf, Richard Illingworth

TV umpire: Ruchira Palliyaguruge

Match referee: Roshan Mahanama