Hasan bowls Zalmi to comfortable win against Qalandars

By PPI

February 19, 2019

DUBAI: Hasan Ali registered his best figures in a PSL match, wrecking Lahore Qalandars during Peshawar Zalmi’s seven-wicket win in Dubai on Sunday night.

The 24-year-old finished with 4-15 as Lahore were dismissed for their second lowest score in PSL history of 78 in 15.1 overs after being sent into bat by Darren Sammy.

Hasan, declared player of the tournament during Pakistan’s Champions Trophy win in 2017, was ably assisted by Wahab Riaz (3-17) and rookie leg-spinner Ibtisam Sheikh (2-14) as Lahore Qalandars never got an easy sailing.

The lowest ever total by a team in a PSL match was 59, made by Lahore against the same opposition, in 2017. They were also dismissed for 100 by Zalmi in 2018.

Peshawar achieved the target in 10.1 overs for the loss of three wickets, courtesy a fine half century by Umar Amin, who finished with 39-ball 61 not out with a six and ten boundaries.It was Peshawar Zalmi’s first win in two games. They lost to Quetta Gladiators in the first match. They now have two points from two games. Lahore have two points from three games.

Quetta, who earlier on Sunday beat Islamabad United in the first match by seven wickets, top the table with two wins in as many games, having scored four points. Peshawar are now second with two points followed by Multan Sultans, Islamabad, Karachi and Lahore.

Amin lifted his team after they lost two early wickets of Kamran Akmal (0) and Imam-ul-Haq (1) with the board showing just six runs.

Amin hit a six to bring the target within a stroke and Kieron Pollard completed the formality with a winning six off Salman Agha.“We have good bowling resources and whoever I summoned delivered today,” said Sammy while praising his bowlers. “It was a good comeback after losing the first match,” he added.

De Villiers said his team could not handle the Peshawar bowling. “We played against a team which was on fire today (Sunday night) and unfortunately we could not weather the storm,” said the stand-in captain. “There was something in the pitch and we were unable to put a good total,” he added.

Just 24 hours earlier Lahore had put up a magnificent performance to beat Karachi Kings but they looked a totally different side after Hasan took four wickets within 16 balls.The only ones to manage double figures were Anton Devcich (18), AB de Villiers (14) and Agha (12).

Hasan dismissed Fakhar Zaman (6) with the third ball of his second over and with his fifth had Sohail Akhtar (6), leaving Lahore at 14-2. Fakhar and Sohail had put on 97 and 64 in the first two matches.

Hasan said he executed the plan given to him. “I sit with the analyst and make a plan so when you execute the plan you get wickets and that makes you happy,” he added. De Villiers, leading the side in the absence of injured Mohammad Hafeez, caressed three beautiful boundaries in his short eight-ball stay before Hasan bowled him with a delivery that came in and rattled his stumps.

Off the last ball of the same over Hasan had Brendon Taylor bowled for one, leaving Lahore at 39-4.

Devcich who top-scored with 18 was dismissed by Kieron Pollard.The PSL will have a two-day rest before the matches shift to Sharjah.Action will begin on Wednesday when table-toppers Quetta meet Multan Sultans.

Peshawar Zalmi won toss

Lahore Qalandars

Fakhar Zaman c Umaid b Hasan 6

Sohail Akhtar c Umar b Hasan 6

A P Devcich c Ibtisam b Pollard 18

*A B de Villiers b Hasan 14

†B R M Taylor b Hasan 1

Agha Salman c Ibtisam b Wahab 13

G C Viljoen lbw b Ibtisam 1

Hassan Khan st Kamran b Ibtisam 7

Shaheen Shah Afridi b Wahab 4

Haris Rauf b Wahab 0