We couldn’t execute our plans while defending: Sammy

KARACHI: Peshawar Zalmi ended 15-20 runs short in their match against Islamabad United, said coach Darren Sammy.

While addressing the post-match presser, Sammy spoke about Zalmi’s loopholes due to which they lost the game. “We were at least 15-20 runs short. In a position we were in after the power play, we let United creep into the game in the middle phase. They came back well. We were aiming for 200, which didn’t happen,” he said.

He, however, showed faith in Babar Azam’s captaincy, saying, “he is a leader,” and at the boundary, they exchange ideas and make sure their views are in sync. He credited Imad Wasim and Haider Ali for scoring sensational fifties to enable Islamabad United to secure a spot in the HBL Pakistan Super League (PSL) 2024 final.

“We were excellent in the first ten overs while defending as well, but wayward in the next phase, which has been the hallmark for Zalmi right through the tournament. We couldn’t execute our plans, and Imad and Haider put us to sword,” he said.

Sammy said that Zalmi bowlers didn’t try anything different and bowled at their strengths. “Imad played a mature knock, and Haider took the chances, but we kept bowling in his arc. Change of pace, slower ones, outside the off-stump area and good-length balls could have been the options. But we couldn’t stick to our plans. They were brave and deserved to win.”