Ibtisam, Umaid’s brilliance crush Islamabad United by 34 runs

DUBAI: Darren Sammy-led Peshawar Zalmi defeated Islamabad United by 34 runs on Saturday at the Dubai International Stadium.

United's all-rounder Faheem Ashraf played a brilliant knock of 54 runs off 30 balls, which included six fours and two sixes, however, Zalmi's bowling line-up succeeded in restricting United to 142 runs.

United buckled under a sustained Zalmi onslaught as they lost four wickets, including those of their openers, in quick succession while chasing a target of 177.

United lost their openers in the second over of the inning, with both returning to the pavilion after falling prey to Umaid Asif. 

Next to depart were Hussain Talat and Asif Ali, who contributed a mere 9 runs between them before they also fell prey to Umaid, who took his tally to four wickets. 

Iftikhar Ahmed was caught by Tamim Iqbal on a ball by Jordan. He contributed 9 to the scoreboard. Shadab Khan's brief stay on the crease was interrupted by Ibtisam Sheikh, with Khan contributing only 2 runs.

Sheikh cemented winning position for the Zalmi by taking the wicket of danger batsman, Andre Russell, the Windies all rounded departed on the score of 11 runs.

Samit Patel, the last hope of United returned to the pavilion, scoring 23 runs. Skipper Darren Sammy took his catch on the bowl of Sheikh.

A slow delivery to Muhammad Sami gave an easy catch to the bowler Wahab Riaz on the 16.5 overs of the game.     

Earlier, Peshawar Zalmi openers Kamran Akmal and Tamim Iqbal set the foundation for the team’s innings, blasting boundaries all over the ground. 

Zalmi put up a score of 176 for the loss of six wickets in the allotted 20 overs.  The innings saw Akmal scoring 53 from 32 deliveries and Tamim Iqbal chipping in with 39 from 29 balls.  

Faheem Ashraf was the pick of the United bowlers claiming two wickets. 

First innings 

The last ball of the innings saw the dismissal of Wahab Riaz who was bowled by Rumman Raees. 

Haris Sohail was the fifth wicket to fall for the Zalmi after being dismissed by Mohammad Sami. 

Darren Sammy was the fourth wicket to fall after scoring just nine runs. He was bowled by Faheem Ashraf. 

Dwayne Smith chipped in with a solid 30 from 21 deliveries before being dismissed by Faheem Ashraf. 

Earlier, Tamim Iqbal took over for Kamran Akmal who fell after scoring a brilliant half-century against Islamabad United. 

The left-handed batsman kept up the run rate for Peshawar Zalmi with a steady flow of boundaries. He was dismissed for 39 from 29 deliveries by Andre Russel.

Tamim Iqbal played some brilliant shots including one off Samit Patel for 6.  

A highlight of Akmal's innings was the maximum he hit off Faheem Ashraf. 

The former Pakistan wicket-keeper and opening batsman also brought up his 50 in style. 

Akmal was dismissed soon after reaching the half-century mark by Samit Patel. 

Islamabad United are without the services of skipper Misbah-ul-Haq who is out with a hamstring injury. In his absence, the team is being led by Rumman Raees. 

"This track is very good, which is why we decided to bowl first," said Raees after winning the toss. 

"We wanted to bat first so I am quite happy. We need to assess the conditions quickly and put a big total," Zalmi skipper Darren Sami said when asked about today's match. 

Sami added there were no signs of panic after the team's loss in the opening match

Zalmi lost to debutants Multan Sultans in the opening match of the tournament on Thursday. Sultans, playing their first ever PSL, outclassed Darren Sammy’s men by seven wickets. For Zalmi, Mohammad Hafeez stood out with his 59 runs off 52 balls, while Wahab Riaz bowled economically in return for two wickets. 

Islamabad United

Head coach: Dean Jones

Captain: Misbah-ul-Haq

Squad: Misbah-ul-Haq (c), Alex Hales, Sam Billings, Mohammad Hasan, Chadwick Walton, Rohail Nazir, Luke Ronchi, Amad Butt, JP Duminy, Hussain Talat, Samit Patel, Andre Russell, Shadab Khan, Faheem Ashraf, Samuel Badree, Steven Finn, Mohammad Sami, Rumman Raees, Zafar Gohar

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Peshawar Zalmi

Head coach: Mohammad Akram

Captain: Darren Sammy

Squad: Darren Sammy (c), Tamim Iqbal, Kamran Akmal, Andre Fletcher, Riki Wessels, Hammad Azam, Haris Sohail, Dwayne Bravo, Khushdil Shah, Umaid Asif, Saad Nasim, Mohammad Hafeez, Shabbir Rahman, Liam Dawson, Sameen Gul, Hasan Ali, Chris Jordan, Mohammad Asghar, Wahab Riaz

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