Sahibzada’s scintillating century takes United to big win over Zalmi

Staff Report

RAWALPINDI: Sahibzada Farhan smashed a breathtaking century to power Islamabad United to a 102-run win, their largest margin of victory, over Peshawar Zalmi in match five of the HBL PSL X at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium. The commanding triumph set up by Farhan’s feisty ton and a brilliant all-round bowling display means the three-time HBL PSL winners stand at the top of this season’s points table with two wins on the trot. Farhan’s 106 came off just 52 balls (13x4s, 5x6s) as he continued his red-hot form. He scored the joint-fastest century by an Islamabad United player (off 49 deliveries) and became only the fifth player to score four T20 centuries in a single year.

Colin Munro also offered great support as he struck 40 runs in just 27 balls with six fours and a six. Munro and Farhan stitched a massive partnership of 144 runs for the second wicket in 72 balls, setting a tone for the big total. Zalmi pacer Alzarri Joseph managed to dismiss both set batters in the same over, 14th of the Islamabad innings. Salman Ali Agha and Jason Holder then contributed well in the latter stages of the innings, with a 15-ball 30 and an 11-ball 20 not out, respectively. Islamabad United posted their second-highest total ever in the allotted 20 overs with 243-5 – the highest team total of this year’s HBL PSL so far. Chasing a daunting total, Zalmi didn’t get the start they would’ve hoped for, losing three quick wickets in the first four overs.

Saim Ayub, fresh off a fifty in the last game, fell early trying to go big off Naseem Shah. Babar Azam, looking to bounce back after a quiet first match, was undone by a length ball outside off from Ben Dwarshuis. The batting unit never found its rhythm, crumbling under pressure with wickets tumbling at regular intervals. Only wicketkeeper-batter Mohammad Haris showed aggression, playing a lone warrior’s knock of 87 off 47 balls (12x4s, 4x6s). Haris was eventually dismissed by Imad Wasim, who finished with impressive figures of 3-26 in his four overs. Zalmi were bowled out for just 141 in 18.2 overs falling well short of the target. United skipper Shadab Khan and fast bowler Dwarshuis claimed two wickets apiece. The two losses for Zalmi leave them at the bottom of the table.

Brief scores:

Match 5 – Islamabad United beat Peshawar Zalmi by 102 runs at Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium

Islamabad United 243-5, 20 overs (Sahibzada Farhan 106, Colin Munro 40, Salman Ali Agha 30; Alzarri Joseph 2-39, Hussain Talat 2-39) vs Peshawar Zalmi 141, 18.2 overs (Mohammad Haris 87; Imad Wasim 3-26, Ben Dwarshuis 2-23, Shadab Khan 2-29)

Player of the match – Sahibzada Farhan (Islamabad United).