Zalmi edge Sultans to stay in hunt for playoffs

RAWALPIND: Peshawar Zalmi stayed in the hunt for a place in the playoffs with a nerve-wracking four-run win against table toppers Multan Sultan in front of a chanting crowd at the Pindi Stadium Tuesday.

Mehran Mumtaz (1-20) put the brakes on the Multan Sultans’ brisk start in pursuit of 205 runs victory target. Sultan ended the 20 overs with 200 for 5 on the board. The young left-arm spinner Mehran turned things around for Zalmi as Multan Sultans struggled to match the run tempo early on.

Aamer Jamal made his move with the ball, picking up some quick wickets to further dampen Sultans’ spirits. Seasoned Iftikhar Ahmad scored 60 not out, hitting four sixes and as many fours, but the effort was not enough to take Sultans to win.

Together with Chris Jorden ( 30 not out), he kept Sultans in play till the last over, raising 75 runs in less than five overs for the fifth wicket stand. Salman Irshad, who was expensive during his first spell, was on target in the last over defending 21 runs.

Earlier, Babar Azam (64) and Saim Ayub (46) gave Peshawar Zalmi a breathtaking start, raising 84 runs in seven over. Saim was seen striking the ball ferociously, striking five sixes and three fours before falling to Usama Mir who had him trapped leg before.

His 22-ball knock gave the packed crowd a good value for their money. Babar stole two runs off Mohammad Ali to complete his yet another fifty and then followed it up with a six off the same bowler.

Usama, however, beat him in the flight to knock his sumps. Haseebullah (31) and Roman Powell’s 23 also contributed to Zalmi’s cause as the team amassed 204 for 5 in 20 overs. PSL top bowler Usama Mir (3-32) turned out to be the pick of bowlers with Chris Jorden (2-33) also chipping in.

After putting 204 on the board, thanks to the blistering start from Saim Ayub and Babar Azam, the innings lost a bit of momentum before Haseebullah Khan and Rovman Powell injected impetus, helping to put a decent total on a batting-friendly wicket.

In reply, Multan Sultans started off slowly and didn’t seem on course to get close to the target but Iftikhar Ahmed had other plans and gave a massive scare to Peshawar; he received able support from Chris Jordan, who made a quickfire 30 off 12 and nearly snatched the game from Peshawar.

Left-arm spinner Mehran Mumtaz was riding high on confidence and was eager to seize the opportunity. On a day when bowlers were getting smashed all around the park, he managed to create massive problems for the batters and returned 1/20.

Score:

Peshawar Zalmi 204 for 5 (Babar Azam 64, Saim Ayub 46, Haseebullah 31, Usama Mir 3-32, Chris Jorden 2-33)

Multan Sultan (Iftikhar Ahmad 60 not out Mohammad Rizwan 32, Chris Jorden 30 not out, Tayyab Tahir 26, Aamer Jamal 2-36, Mehran Mumtaz 1-20)

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