Peshawar floor Lahore to stay on course in HBL PSL

By Khalid Hussain

February 25, 2017

DUBAI: Facing the unpleasant prospects of missing out on the playoff, Peshawar Zalmi lifted their game to tame Lahore Qalandars in their HBL Pakistan Super League clash here at the Dubai International Stadium on Friday.

Kamran Akmal hammered a 40-ball 58 and later the spin duo of Shakib Al Hasan and Mohammad Hafeez took the life out of Lahore’s chase, giving Peshawar a well-deserved and much-needed 17-run win.

The result catapulted Peshawar to second place on the points table, just behind table-toppers Quetta Gladiators, virtually ensuring them a place in the playoffs.

In their previous PSL clash this season, Zalmi had skittled Lahore for a record low of 59. It seemed that they would do that again when Lahore lost five of their wickets for just one run.

Responding to Zalmi’s 166-6, Lahore raced to 38 in the third over. But the fall of Cameron Delport (32 off 5 balls) began the rot for Lahore.

Powered by a knock from Kamran Akmal, Peshawar accumulated 166 for six. Lahore finished on 149 for nine with Sohail Tanvir remaining unbeaten on 36.

Qalandars came out all guns blazing with Cameron Delport slamming left arm spinner Mohammad Asghar for five boundaries in the second over during the run-chase.

However, Lahore lost six wickets for five runs off just 16 balls in a spectacular collapse to slump from 38-1 to 43-6 and cripple their victory charge.

Delport’s dismissal after a 15-ball 32 with seven boundaries triggered the sensational collapse after Hasan Ali pouched a skier off his own bowling.

Skipper Brendon McCullum was run out while Shakib Al Hasan trapped the in-form Umar Akmal (1) and Grant Elliott (0).

Aamer Yamin’s run-a-ball 25 with two fours and two sixes briefly kept alive their hopes.

“It was a double-paced wicket which supported the spinners. Today was not our day. All credit to Zalmi for qualifying. We are determined to win our next match which will be a do-or-die one,” said Yameen.

Earlier, Kamran Akmal cracked nine boundaries in his 40-ball knock as Zalmi overcame the early loss of Tamim Iqbal after electing to bat first.

“I’m happy to return to form. I have not given up hopes of playing for Pakistan again. PSL has provided me a platform to show my form and fitness despite being overlooked for a place in the national side for the past three years,” said Akmal who gave credit to the bowlers including man-of-the-match Shakib Al Hasan for the win over Lahore.

All-rounder Shakib Al Hasan weighed in with 30 and skipper Sammy 17 not out. Yasir Shah claimed two for 19.

Peshawar skipper Darren Sammy was visibly pleased with his team’s showing.

“It was a crucial game and we were tempted to bowl first. But we looked at their squad and knew if we could pick up early wickets, we could put them under pressure and today the decision worked well. We came back good. They came back well into the game when Narine was in the middle of that partnership, but we wanted to win and we did that today.”

Brendon McCullum, Lahore’s disappointed captain, hoped his side will do better in the must-win game against Karachi Kings.

“Anytime you lose five wickets like that, it is going to be tough, but we fought well and will look to come back well in the next game. We lost three wickets trying to be defensive, but credit to the opposition. They played well and their spinners bowled well. Our next game is crucial. We know if we turn up well, we can play. We are up against a strong Karachi side.”

Score Board

Peshawar Zalmi won toss

Peshawar Zalmi

Tamim Iqbal c & b Aamer 5

†Kamran Akmal st Rizwan b Yasir 58

M Hafeez b Yasir 13

M N Samuels b Narine 17

Shakib Al Hasan c Umar b Sohail 30

Shahid Afridi run out 10

*D J G Sammy not out 17

Wahab Riaz not out 0

Extras (b 8, lb 1, w 7) 16